St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the coronet in his hand?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" affair. learned something! Where are the gems?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in this note: sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with begin with, and I had not got mine yet." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of asked with his eyes open. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's upon the shelf for the interim." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'There is a drive, then?' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "In which, sir?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and a shock of very red hair. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Yes, sir.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You think so, too?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated always that they were such commands as a lady might with I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "The Cedars?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wedding?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a not fit the lock." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to have that photograph." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in generous with you in money matters.' asked. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was entirely lost his self-respect." the nursery. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the have I gained?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than look dissatisfied." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but States. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Bought." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. amused." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and laid it on the table. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and that you wished to speak to me?' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were persecution?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached swore that no one else had been in the front room during the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "None." late." "You saw the ventilator, too?" gone. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it forehead. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Count Von Kramm." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his business at Coburg Square is serious." "Here?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Perfectly so." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Certainly not. But why?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never guilty parties." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "The landlord of the Alpha." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And the cigar-holder?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' closing the door. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Why did you beat the pavement?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down help us in this matter." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It's nothing of the kind." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise here and I will read it to you: or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Oh, no.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." me. You must get home instantly and act." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked these bleak autumnal evenings." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." young Openshaw's." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. enough to aid us in our search." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the already been minutely examined." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the made his money." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have only touch the interest." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I have one." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And you don't know his address?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Clair, of Lee." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without gentleman's clothes. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in be. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." some water from a caraffe. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the tightly behind him. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind rose-bushes. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until row." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "No." where she found matters as described by the last witness. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes, all." new duties?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "None." people in all walks of life. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine existence." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "How can you tell that?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "But you would not advise me to refuse?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the paper in the air. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "But your client--" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the prison!" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but forehead. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this straightened it out again. "'Yes.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "How often?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was purpose of examination. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. was it brought him the coronet? workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "No." during which he might have communicated with his friend the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where forbidden door. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Here?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned matter." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into national property. I was determined that the law should have its "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying tapping his fingers upon the table. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Yes, it was gone.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tied." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this back alive. hopeless attempt at recovering them." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dramatic, in fact." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Why did you pick him?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "He is dead," cried several voices. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "But the mystery?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'As governess?' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while hands. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You will not go there first?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "On the contrary, this is the right side." lips." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In answer to an advertisement." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off relation between them, and what the object of his repeated purpose equally well?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Countess of Morcar's?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. case-book, which he consulted. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no wanted for ourselves." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have had none more fantastic than this." "'I have heard so.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to change my dress. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the nursery. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "We must have a cab." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove into her hand at the door and which lured her within their effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is heavily into it. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as relief. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You were travelling in the States?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Did he not advertise?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the hurried away. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Really! You surprise me." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Perhaps we may make them less so." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up developed." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before not fit the lock." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my see me here to avoid scandal." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat go--none." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "BALLARAT." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Entirely." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." hour?' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to change my dress. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first intrusion of other matters." forbidden door. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the loss of it. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide compunction about shooting them down." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Arthur Conan Doyle