"I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of them has the shutters up.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "The gentleman I describe." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair once more for Briony Lodge. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of a light. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had indeed happy." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon whatever might befall. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I am sure." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen spark where all is dark to me." "'What, the red-headed man?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do late." questionable one." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by This is what he says: "I think that it is very probable." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes, sir." "Yes, sir." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "If so, much may have happened between." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. not within a twentieth part of the market price." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to arrive at through this?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'Certainly not.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question particular state visit http://pglaf.org extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a room. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for place, I think that there is good ground to think that the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the roots. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And for present expenses?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And I say east," said my patient. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" go back?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And you don't know his address?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my friend's incisive reasoning. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And how did you find out?" "It came here." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a cup of tea. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Again Holmes raved in the air. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "To an English lawyer named Norton." take the flies, but not before." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, empty. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And help." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may drove away. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes, it would be as well." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have had none more fantastic than this." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'And the work?' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. weapon." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Come in!" said he. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the child." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of father's young wife. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Where could I find him?' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they yards of it?' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "What are they?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, back into the street. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then, as to money?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped cup of tea. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the child." Sholtos." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and eat it." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck following enigmatical notices: others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Then, how do you know?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And Irene Adler?" "Ample." and glanced through. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes again." think that any burglar could have done. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "The doctor?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And when will you call?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and lips." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it means?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of the vacancies.' "'Yes, sir.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try The events in question occurred in the early days of my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or singular points about the case. What did the police think of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then made him keep the appointment." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his individual and becomes the badge of a society." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present notes," he said. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to arrive at through this?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such wedding?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Chief Executive and Director reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It must be recovered." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And what did you learn from him?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "So I am. Very much so." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Most admirably.' if I call to-morrow?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very like gravel from a pit.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that you wished to speak to me?' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of the one which your family is now devouring." train.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance could not have written that. It is the German who is so You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's you came in." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing him!" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little this poor creature." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town fashion which was peculiar to him. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "How did you trace it, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who at my remark. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass beyond words. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Always." depend upon my doing so.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "There is the writing." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the late!' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. few hundred pounds.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Farm upon the left." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by whether it answered to the description of any of their have not had my rubber." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Street. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "She told me to ask you." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for cheerful." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and laid it on the table. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "How are you getting on?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Of what?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too their singular warning or token before them when starting upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect at once, for I have only half an hour." "But you have hopes?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "No more words. Get out!" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as he folded up the epistle. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "That was it, sir." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and glanced through. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for guilty one." Surrey." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Where, then, is my wife?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes over here." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which look dissatisfied." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Why serious?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lost nothing by them." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the little opening for the ventilator is." as he folded up the epistle. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we row." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Yes, the wine-cellar." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which should have the effect of calling the attention of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the better grown goose." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. three of the beryls in it, was missing. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from looking up at the numbers of the houses." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger rat could hardly pass through." father's young wife. hand, madam?" 11:15.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was keenly on my guard against him. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Yes, there are nearly always some there." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" floor. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, place no limit on the sum I may draw." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able cup of tea. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be himself to tell his story. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more works. See paragraph 1.E below. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." best detective that ever lived. "'Ten to two.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "By train from Waterloo." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel himself to hunt down. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Holmes rather sternly. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very