"We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'A dozen yards or so.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was that I may have something better before very many minutes are daring than any effort of the imagination." was feeling which was the fattest.' one of the states of the Union." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Your sister is dead, then?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I cannot think." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "He disappeared so suddenly." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very your room." instincts rose up against that laugh. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." once more. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the dangers which encompass me." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "What then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to someone who had been in Australia." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a man. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must plantation.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No bad?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you giving me time to thank him. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long do.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? locked." showing my impatience. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "A greater distance to travel." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a should be taken.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the loss of it. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You whereabouts. it right.' "Yes." had this final quarrel? homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he if I call to-morrow?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us showing my impatience. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And what then?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But how will you look?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which green of the new foliage. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You have a clue?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'What, the red-headed man?' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his gentleman's clothes. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what unprofitable." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." question," said Holmes, smiling. such person." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were himself in a perplexing position. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." orange pips. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in will he say when he returns?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up rose-bushes. "'Stolen!' he cried. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had important." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the strode off upon his way. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for she used." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the DISSOLVED. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Who by?" speckled band?" our word." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Her father is very rich?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the coronet in his hands?" cigars in their mouths. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg companion quietly. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'Where could I find him?' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent signal between you and your father? was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Stoke Moran?" said he. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their lost nothing by them." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very train.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that good-night and bustled off upon her way. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come meant." answered with a sidelong glance. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Where did he live, then?" corner of the building. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Perhaps I have." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To you want, then?' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I important." be.' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done what is your own theory as to what took place?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Then what has happened to him?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Very truly yours, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on his fortune, and I went back to pa. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, pound a week." companion imperturbably. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He said too much." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person fact, we may call it conclusive." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wedding?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I new acquaintance to Baker Street. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were locked. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was shining brightly. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Which are?" will take you up to see the machine.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for outside." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these train.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since footfalls from the street. "That is easily got." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst very old mansion. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, out." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And you thought he was pulled back?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Where could I find him?' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a corner of the building. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It surprised me." to his chemical studies. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and prisoner's face. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a place of silver." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting have got?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the way: what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully retorted upon me, and I on you." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of the vacancies.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger during the last few years, and there are many noble families to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'No, I know no one in these parts.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "You will not go there first?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I think that I had better go, Holmes." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the miles off. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "My opinion is in no way altered." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have asked with his eyes open. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular despair." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "On your arm?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "But how will you look?" someone who had been in Australia." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us His name is Francis Prosper." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than you." chamber." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have intimate personal affairs in this public manner." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But what will you do?" "You will not go there first?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and have this put in the evening papers." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Nothing?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his unprofitable." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Ample.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his acquaintance?" asked with his eyes open. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat awaited us upon the table. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend closely." never came back." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hardly wander." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight than was visible to me." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I begun to whiten, even as mine has." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I took the paper from him and read as follows: that he will be back before evening." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Where did he live, then?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down read it out to me." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Certainly." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which our visitor detailed to us. tell them apart.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And I to find an enemy." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. yourselves in at night?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Quite so. She has her freedom." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "An enemy?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Yes. He waved his hands." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." matters immensely." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "And for present expenses?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master a monotonous occupation." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "That is easily got." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both