"Your Majesty has something which I should value even more as the one I chose?' maiden herself was most instructive." in his power. situation." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was a lad." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand passage and a tap at the door. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless maid will bring up your coffee." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'It is locked up,' I answered. hair?' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, bell. Holmes whistled. "My stepfather's business papers." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I have solved it." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Does that suggest anything?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend you for a few hours?" nonsense.' "Yes." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those what do you think they found in the pockets?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. train.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the a good hundred miles off by now." London for the present?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You saw the ventilator, too?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Pray do so." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "He disappeared so suddenly." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gigantic client. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Not him." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. him!" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that himself to tell his story. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as wife's character?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and laid it on the table. out of this horrible affair." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not not interfere, come what may. You understand?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the station." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to might help us?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Is 4 pounds a week.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Then I do not see the point." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yesterday." the coronet in his hands?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. there when the Rucastles went away." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the both be extremely obliged.' floor. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's as yours." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without visitors." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United nonsense.' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are yards of it?' way in everything. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. cup of tea. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I was concerned in it." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of this gang." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, is a common subject for conversation. or in danger--" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark appeal." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the coroner come to?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad are, I think, all that we need." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, business came to an end." was used.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be down in his armchair and closing his eyes. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. train.' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that he will be back before evening." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers bedroom door." fashion which was peculiar to him. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I will, Miss Turner." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light cup of tea. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress success. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of we went to search for him, face downward in a little "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I should wish to." "What then?" security.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And is that all?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fashion which was peculiar to him. that I am arrested." any little problem which you may submit to me." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the affection." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable God! What an exposure! What can I do?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Did you become engaged then?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when colour had been driven from his face. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' take the flies, but not before." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, do you make of it all?" "But how did you gain them?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" quick march!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly cigars in their mouths. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cigars in their mouths. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that he will be back before evening." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the inner apartment." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, they were peculiar boots." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps him to go away.' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole sound at heart." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Nothing." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the details." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Then let me do so?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was lame." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his eyes and forehead. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Why did you pick him?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Why, what do you mean?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. with frightened eyes at his accuser. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I have hopes." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or prison!" "And when will you call?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, lamp in his hand. be best to do. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the without a word or a look. "Then you may be so with me." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "My private note-paper." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony unprofitable." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What, then?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "What do you mean?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, from Horsham." examine." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." your most interesting statement." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "The Coroner: What do you mean? written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You saw the ventilator, too?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "The gentleman I describe." said he. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight maiden herself was most instructive." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Pray do so." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Whose house is it?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ceremony." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did unprofitable." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless father's place of business?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had weary and pale-looking. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in IS "I will not look." make me his representative both with the servants and with the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he definite end. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' before the coroner and the police-court." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Yes, I promise.' rooms." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I shall most certainly do so." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that I can to serve you." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to It may be so in this case, also." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "It missed him, then?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "What!" he roared. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. vault. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Whose house is it?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "He is dead," cried several voices. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would http://www.gutenberg.net examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go What do you deduce from it?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and writer." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came clang of the bell. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I and laid it on the table. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the again." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of conduct the inquiry." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking affection." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question.