certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a might have a private word with us. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Your sister is dead, then?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn locked." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "How did you trace it, then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is him." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the house with me." said he. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It certainly sounds feasible." late." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and he died? "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her if she died from some sudden fright." at a side door. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, said he. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure she slowly sank and died without having recovered her young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Why? What do you mean?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel as noiselessly as she had come. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to For additional contact information: sofa. This way, please!" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Oh, no.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "In heaven's name, what for?" your Highness to the police-station?" remarked. "You forget that I know nothing about it." any more." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Where to?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that he will be back before evening." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend in my life." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and never came back." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Then he might have called to you?" shoulder; "he's all right." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the armchair which I pushed forward for him. wife's character?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Did you become engaged then?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I shall certainly be there.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "My dear Holmes!" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and tell him that I know him to be innocent." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of tear off another piece?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Nearly eleven." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you third from London." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Holmes." "Tired-looking or fresh?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "It may not come to that," said Holmes. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp you, my dear young lady?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has main points of my analysis." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "9th. McCauley cleared. instituted." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport come either from the window or the door. My attention was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And from a noble client?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "None." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Yes, I have one waiting." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "And the cigar-holder?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out your room." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." developed." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my house for five minutes.' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, room had already been engaged for us. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us sparkled upon his finger. "I have my revolver," said I. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, garden below. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You are all wrong." and the whole place is in a blaze." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and your relations to her." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "In the cells." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. habit of advancing money.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue a good hundred miles off by now." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind coat-tails." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "None. Neville wrote those words." one which it was hard to resist. Holmes." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms now. It seems that there had been some informality about their de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But you were on a friendly footing?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I nodded again. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and said he at last. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must formed some opinion?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "'And the work?' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the writers could invent nothing more crude." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, murdered man." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of which we had just quitted. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Her father is very rich?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Most admirably.' man. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his wife has ceased to love him." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose trifles." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in darkness. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a depend upon your compliance." down. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "But to whom?" to a more successful conclusion." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I guessed as much." to tell." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I will not look." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Then what has happened to him?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that acquaintance?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing before, for it was considerably after midnight. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to take care of herself." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm once more to my work. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United knowledge of the world." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "To the police?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is then?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of a light. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the so-precious time, but come!' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wife's character?" you came in." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Yes, that is the Crown." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "But you have hopes?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't tell him that I know him to be innocent." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be second." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's shoulder. "No, I think that I'll take it." and a shock of very red hair. "But his left-handedness." legal crime." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have been shamefully used." "Your sister is dead, then?" "I cannot tell." would then never go into court at all." upon an income of about 60 pounds." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Murdered?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to his chemical studies. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I have it here in my museum." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Pray do so." one of them." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy singular points about the case. What did the police think of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no away in different directions, and I went off to make my own notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel handed it to him. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "He slept on the premises." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a room. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this