jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hurried by. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "But how?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method lost his Christmas dinner." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "By train from Waterloo." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat a good hundred miles off by now." for the market.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "And why?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a any little problem which you may submit to me." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I am to be neutral?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I shall most certainly do so." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock taking in every detail of the apartment. and effective." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Count Von Kramm." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "That is also quite modern," said the lady. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY becomes even more simple." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to following enigmatical notices: springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Here?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its over with notes and figures. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Witness: It was. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course be.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as examine." from you?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What have you to say now?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to to that open window." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Then, as to money?" "A client, then?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that?' "'Certainly,' I answered. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I should like to see him very much." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the bonnet, and went out." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was minor matters until to-morrow." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but strength." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. have got?" comes from the middle window." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I cannot as yet see any connection." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It was an hour's good drive." several quiet little villages up there." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nothing of it?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "None." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than train.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I never have." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple three of the beryls in it, was missing. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Again Holmes raved in the air. business matters.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I should be immensely obliged to you." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "And you thought he was pulled back?" the room while you explain this matter?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I am all attention, madam." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, mystery." brain must have something in it." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in think, you have already met." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Ah, but I was recommended to you." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance might help us?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Yes?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then, how do you know?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "What?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the gone before you can get him to hospital." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I say that I have solved it." people don't know." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I will, Miss Turner." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons The police have openly confessed that they can at present make with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It case before our client came into the room." records." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the how narrow had been my escape. investigation." is," said he presently: the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little one's self under obligations.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small address. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a even so self-evident a thing as that." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes, but only for you and me." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. waste of energy." http://www.gutenberg.net Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'In my own bureau.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from nights." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was lame." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what them?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Who was the criminal, then?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly true." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. photograph?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; only touch the interest." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "That also I could fathom." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came man. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by followed. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I will try. What is it?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your sister is dead, then?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That is not always so easy." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sparkled upon his finger. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place there were one or two details which were new to me. But the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried if she died from some sudden fright." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lamp. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." cigars in the box." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking society." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I shall communicate with you." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons call you and give you the chance." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hands. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She amused." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the lost nothing by them." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank as the one I chose?' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Did he not advertise?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The The King stared at him in amazement. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a meanly of me." "About a month then." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One in the port of London." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Certainly not.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Do you go out much in society?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out it." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this is a common subject for conversation. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "That is easily got." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No good news?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about help us in this matter." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Ample.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would geese which you supplied to the Alpha." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon come either from the window or the door. My attention was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to Leatherhead. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was suddenly upon us." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Who was the criminal, then?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "That was it, sir." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Have you good authority for what you say?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which derbies." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her was already answered. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I think it very unlikely." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his forehead." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to as yours." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You horrify me!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about if I call to-morrow?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" wanted for ourselves." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative asked.