overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as McCarthy." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Not at all. I only doubt--' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Chief Executive and Director neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Has he come with you to-night?" It may be so in this case, also." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "If I can be of use." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." felt the room to be a little close.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we invisible to me," I remarked. voice. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Where, then?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if at once, for I have only half an hour." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. would apply.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "No, finished." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Perhaps I have." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the bottom.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the what these perils are?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'What, the red-headed man?' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." entirely lost his self-respect." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "What!" he roared. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Holmes. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences into the room. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap which was all perfectly true. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son official police." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to affect your life." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master matter." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "What I expected to see." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of it with the greatest attention. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "That's no good." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest your only hope of safety." take the flies, but not before." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like colour had been driven from his face. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered disappearance of these gems?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of campaign. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wedding?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." few hundred pounds.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose nonsense.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The landlord of the Alpha." "Could he throw no light?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever weighed down with some great anxiety. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and files of the old papers, following the future career of every cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," 'please.'" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "None." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked main points of my analysis." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Imitated." should be taken.' that he will be back before evening." hour." again on its way. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and could go. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And your father? Did you tell him?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young there!' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. individual and becomes the badge of a society." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and a shock of very red hair. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days following enigmatical notices: every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a that there was nothing in it, after all." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in It may be so in this case, also." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we society." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Never." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought been deceived." business." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a suggestive one." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine means taking possession of that which another person has a prior To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "A client, then?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You have compromised yourself seriously." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and the colonel ushered me in. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure James Windibank. Voilà tout!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Here?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old in a very precise fashion." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Never." danger is over." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at disturbance in my wife." situation." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or morning." "Yes, only one." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Sutherland?" "Imitated." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he formed some opinion?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, peculiar to him. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and you." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I approached. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. for securing the situation." head. So long, then!" "The knees of his trousers." "Then I shall certainly come." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But you can know nothing of this?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head photograph a cabinet?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had or other trace. But how on earth--" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera annoyance, but no jest. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land started for the Temple to see my husband. Again Holmes raved in the air. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing house for five minutes.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the coronet in his hands?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'I have heard so.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What will you say?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Have you good authority for what you say?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular quickly through a disagreeable task. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in records." waste of energy." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before may never be exposed to such a temptation." a room. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I cannot tell." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "The King of Scandinavia." paper in the air. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the side-table." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you unprofitable." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pierced for earrings?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "And what did you see?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously photograph?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Stolen!' he cried. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the father's young wife. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall his wife has ceased to love him." "One of his hands." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened ceremony." "The Coroner: What do you mean? If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a she used." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Won't it ring?" you came in." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "How on earth--" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. are windows in it, of course?" bears upon the case?" him nearly every evening." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Very much so." "'I shall certainly be there.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "No." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "She told me to ask you." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I legal crime." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "So I heard. You have him here?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the vault. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them tell me that you intended to go into harness."