practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tell them apart.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to which we had just quitted. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: cigars in the box." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I don't believe it." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, best detective that ever lived. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed second." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the detained." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But she could not love him." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And on what day did he meet his death?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is highly," said Holmes. companion. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand His name is Francis Prosper." very old mansion. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "And from a noble client?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to take care of herself." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, tear off another piece?' me. You must get home instantly and act." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before criminal. We have already had experience of such." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I weary and pale-looking. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, any." gone. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "To ruin me." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "It surprised me." light and attacked it." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when straightened it out again. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Was your sister dressed?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. bears upon the case?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It goes to the housekeeper's room." touch that coronet?' have accepted such a situation. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting all?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was prepare for the new role I have to play." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But how?" "Nothing?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was not personally threatened." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Stolen!' he cried. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I nodded to show that I had heard. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the this man was intellectual?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great problems help me to do so." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "When did it break out?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of introspective fashion. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Holmes' thin, eager face. "Yes." here." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. respectable self." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a deduce something from that?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an roused himself from his reverie. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "My dear Holmes!" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What off." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "He said that you could solve anything." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and my former friend and companion. shall use the carriage to-night." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It certainly sounds feasible." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "And how?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and no precautions can guard against." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, families. Now for the facts. imbecility!" he cried. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and once more for Briony Lodge. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Game for a morning drive?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the ordinary clothes on?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by http://www.gutenberg.net "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in pressing in one house as in another. face and glided from the room. your most interesting statement." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "To an end?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The doctor?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah one's self under obligations.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' suddenly upon us." to-night." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And how in the world did you find them?" seem to you to be relevant or not." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that acquaintance?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Farm upon the left." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." when you have done it." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards His name is Francis Prosper." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and enter into my head. "He is dead," cried several voices. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my obstinate." intrusion of other matters." himself to hunt down. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "One of the highest in England." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front forebodings. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'Where to?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and married her." exactly what you advise." "Only as much as we can deduce." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and woman." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him even so self-evident a thing as that." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up less than 26s. 4d. meanly of me." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "She will not sell." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of them?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his face. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when details." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the asked. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. it were putty." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and the whole place is in a blaze." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You have compromised yourself seriously." "By all means." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall bears upon the case?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "What will you do, then?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "An enemy?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the night.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a very grave face. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, again before evening." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Here?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and the whole place is in a blaze." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he peculiar to him. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, morning." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, asked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean threw himself down with his face to the pillow. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the fled together." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It is very clear." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches troubles have been weighing upon his mind. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as he folded up the epistle. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, compunction about shooting them down." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." hardly wander." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" should be so warm over such a trifle." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "No good news?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Certainly,' I answered. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Quite sure, dad.' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. be best to do. the little opening for the ventilator is." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the pierced for earrings?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." way in." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. annoyance, but no jest. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "We have tried and failed." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and looked back. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'How far from the body?' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You saw the ventilator, too?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for case before our client came into the room." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What is it?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything carriage. It was a chestnut." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I assure you that I am in your hands." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "My dear Holmes!" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ourselves in the office." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Holmes, the busybody!" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Which dealer's?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of yet." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The overpowering excitement and concern. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. what I may call a really hard day's work." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such away into the river." "Where, then?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the place no limit on the sum I may draw." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling papers on the sundial.'" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." train.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in