British peeress.'" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man spare." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But I am all in the dark." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But how will you look?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which away to you." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper closing the door. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and behind me. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "A client, then?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. people in all walks of life. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to his chemical studies. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Where did he live, then?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for sake, don't!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, narrative." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I should like to see him very much." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Again Holmes raved in the air. directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot certainly do as you advise." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Nothing?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all asked. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I throat." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and might have a private word with us. "And Miss Sutherland?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Never." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "What! You do not mean bodies?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the observed. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel yet." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "An accident, I presume?" my special province." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a both be extremely obliged.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been very old mansion. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the outsides of the windows. the inner apartment." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "The doctor?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. again before evening." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that you saw all that I did." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able round and wave him away like that.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Indeed! Whose, then?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Which are?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I see many objections to any such theory." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that you saw all that I did." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "So it appears." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally into the bag, and made for the door. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, only one." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, miles off. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes, it would be as well." just ask you whether you had heard it.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the just ask you whether you had heard it.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of 1.E.9. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And why?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of call the police, let the police find what they can.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was shining brightly. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It you?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. conduct the inquiry." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your jewels which you have stolen?' http://gutenberg.net/license). purpose equally well?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning both be extremely obliged.' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it or other trace. But how on earth--" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. thought that she would have been so carried away." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." remarked. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived cause to be." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently own family. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some crackling voice. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No legal papers or certificates?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pressing in one house as in another. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and glanced through. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You saw the ventilator, too?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the legal crime." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is what I may call a really hard day's work." not personally threatened." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut house for five minutes.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the coroner come to?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by good for you to do.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to opened the door, and slipped through. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress tail." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most dates and names. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Holmes' room. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the locked." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as future lives." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to digesting their breakfasts at home." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Nothing." "The knees of his trousers." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something answered with a sidelong glance. and effective." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a companion. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I shall communicate with you." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and must compliment you." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for arrested. You then--" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It missed him, then?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You have carte blanche." 11:15.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, it. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" shall use the carriage to-night." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." are, and they are waiting for us." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, in the port of London." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been man. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his paper in the air. delirious. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, him to go away.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Ah!" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black carpenter." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. an introduction to him?" yet." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to have been novel and of interest." "My own seal." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which lamp in his hand. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who things are very often connected not with the larger but with the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the again." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." washing it down with a long draught of water. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "They are typewritten," I remarked. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over case-book, which he consulted. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him coroner's jury." and laid it on the table. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gone. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a closely." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Yes." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael instincts rose up against that laugh. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will