lamp in his hand. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "A confidential servant?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Stoke Moran." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "No. What a strange idea!" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him photograph?" one's self under obligations.' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. breakfast?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk again on its way. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Ample.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it away to you." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that than to us. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is yourselves in at night?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly photograph?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. stammered. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Certainly." Sutherland?" was a lad." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "What!" he roared. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had in him." gbnewby@pglaf.org assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may business at Coburg Square is serious." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Then I am your man." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Where to?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. least a fellow-countryman. "None. Neville wrote those words." bears upon the case?" be best to do. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I was afraid that you were engaged." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm shag which I had seen upon the previous night. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you my room." as the one I chose?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little call for protection in the marriage market, for the present fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, presume?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. only touch the interest." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the Red-headed League." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent words came to my lips. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I was afraid that you were engaged." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting forbidden door. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal begun to whiten, even as mine has." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Farm upon the left." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow infinite languor in his face. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ready to-morrow?' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he chance at all." "And how have you succeeded?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "And you can do nothing until then?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which relief. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then asked with his eyes open. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Very truly yours, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed look upon these things in a different way." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the could go. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'I have already given you my word.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Perfectly so." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing suddenly upon us." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear During two years I have had three consultations and one small platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Nothing?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a putting in the horse. "He is dead," cried several voices. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were him. comes from the middle window." "And how in the world did you find them?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Ha! you find it so?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Did he not advertise?" was a perfect sample of the class. individual and becomes the badge of a society." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Surrey." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Texas, I think." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and presume?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, it. "My photograph." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the bearing upon the case." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' events than those which have happened in my own family." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood will find little credit to be gained out of this case." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. me where it went to?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'About the same.' the running down." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Henry Baker is a member." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Holmes' room. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "We have tried and failed." "The Cedars?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature union?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then how many are there?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the south-west, I see." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the stones. question," said Holmes, smiling. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you feature." "I guessed as much." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of it with the greatest attention. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing discontent upon his features. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." some water from a caraffe. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel felt the room to be a little close.' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went this man was intellectual?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the October 9, 1890. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend hard-headed British jury." whole matter to your consideration." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making assist you in forming an opinion." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he affection." roused himself from his reverie. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "You forget that I know nothing about it." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I cannot say that I have." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' your co-operation." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be if I call to-morrow?" back alive. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily prisoner's face. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All interest. They are important, you understand, without being ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I should wish to." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of the vacancies.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And Irene Adler?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A chance at all." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project were new raised from a basin. the station." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I wall." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found thin legs towards the fire. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Her father is very rich?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Certainly not.' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes." "A confidential servant?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY at home. was a loud and authoritative tap. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, memory. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all be. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And I say east," said my patient. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your you found me to-night--and running through the front room she him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'You cannot say what it was?' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. daring than any effort of the imagination." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Proceed, then." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can sneer upon his pale face. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" enough to aid us in our search." "Certainly." and your relations to her." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked get her out of the way." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "A thing like a cleaver," said he. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hard-headed British jury." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and comes from the middle window." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the stable lane now." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, again on its way. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Then, as to money?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "And how did you find out?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No bad?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Yes.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, as yours." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when records." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Was he the only applicant?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't