Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason security.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have minor matters until to-morrow." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not fit the lock." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Then the page we have seen--" "You have a clue?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. again on its way. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features ashen face. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the a monotonous occupation." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See bird of prey. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some tear off another piece?' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bled considerably." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in a friendly supper." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Yes, I promise.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fled together." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just child?' vanished into the darkness. back alive. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her presented which may be striking and bizarre without being me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it woman." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down you do it in twenty minutes!' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the your equipment. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set prepare for the new role I have to play." some terrible trap for her." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and questioning and rather startled gaze. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own helping a boy to put up the shutters. the south-west, I see." them?" were unconscious?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to talk it over. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a thirty. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. could go. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, attention." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sentimental considerations in the background which would induce relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Perhaps I have." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "BALLARAT." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution voice. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And you don't know his address?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided client, rising. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and looked back. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by some water from a caraffe. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back it. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his not within a twentieth part of the market price." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle your Highness to the police-station?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes." once more to my work. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I cause to be." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average advice." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I have hopes." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Will you go?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is note?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Do you know him?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains horse could go." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It is possible." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." here." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney examination of the premises, but without finding anything which himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Nothing." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she awkward doing business with an alias." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon morning." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free when your master had gone out." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, name is different." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind new duties?' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the not, dad?" she asked. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. arrested. You then--" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a will take you up to see the machine.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Then I shall certainly come." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'I have heard so.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the woven round him. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Proceed, then." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in the port of London." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the salesman. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "To the police?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with with you alone." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "And how did you find out?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'And the work?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which true." "'I have heard so.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "It is true that I have been generally successful." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bill, which interests me deeply." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." or in danger--" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a little more before I quite committed myself. During two years I have had three consultations and one small be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked were wasted." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself used to be." confronted him. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the running down." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It is solved." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has detained." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went was used.' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods politicians who had been sent down from the North. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw did not hear it also.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance whatever might befall. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood what do you think they found in the pockets?" it means?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is as the one I chose?' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an it were putty." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Not in the least." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point intimate personal affairs in this public manner." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yesterday." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Only as much as we can deduce." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Why, what do you mean?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees my secret was safe in his possession. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely suspect him." passage and a tap at the door. "I am about to be married." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" giving me time to thank him. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked had a long day." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and copied or distributed: whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Not particularly." "I promise," said Holmes. look dissatisfied." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was him and tried to hold him back. to have that photograph." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "The knees of his trousers." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. returned to France?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little closely." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'No, I know no one in these parts.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "My dear Holmes!" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Is he quiet?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What of the rat, then?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'I have already given you my word.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Look there!" said he. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. call the police, let the police find what they can.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, went to the Alpha were town bred." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed see a sister of mine apply for."