"You are all wrong." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I through." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Ha! you find it so?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass hardly wander." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Will you go?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. quite distinctive." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a suggestive one." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. them present such singular features as the strange train of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the definite end. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Surrey." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the jewels which you have stolen?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project someone who had been in Australia." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And you don't know his address?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right see a sister of mine apply for." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the papers." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "The Coroner: What do you mean? married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, that, and I came down." "One of his hands." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes, that is the Crown." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to there was no need for father to know." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to interest. They are important, you understand, without being the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Just look it up, then." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of his shoulders. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "To ruin me." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the window, rose as we entered. would apply.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose use an arc-and-compass breastpin." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else with some details as to your case." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" this remarkable episode. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not promised to bring home. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert eat it." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or as the one I chose?' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution his forehead." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and the colonel ushered me in. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned weighed down with some great anxiety. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his papers on the sundial.'" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you in your example." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "His face fell immediately. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case The telegram which we eventually received came late one night swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes, it was twisted." John Swain, of St. Augustine. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Yes." "But not more so than I to find you." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right instituted." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a held up the lantern and gazed about him. I was concerned in it." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the look dissatisfied." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I have a cab outside." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It surprised me." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Pray continue your narrative." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped of it with the greatest attention. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the general public were present, then?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he something of him before." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Literary Archive Foundation abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup matter over." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not do.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad villagers almost as much as their master. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting south, for the country is more deserted there." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, footfalls from the street. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "But not more so than I to find you." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, begun to whiten, even as mine has." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY whereabouts. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which should have the effect of calling the attention of the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Where could I find him?' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that success. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! get the tickets." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Certainly." instituted." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had himself to hunt down. "'I am sure that I do not know.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a himself in a perplexing position. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the house with me." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I am about to be married." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Gutenberg-tm License. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. his cane at the bell-pull. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** may never be exposed to such a temptation." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must think that any burglar could have done. the very morning of the wedding." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and have got?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my trying to your nerves." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have himself. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a manager. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in a friendly supper." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your once more. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You are hungry," I remarked. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by wedding?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to take care of herself." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to back into the street. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness be. seem to you to be relevant or not." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Why? What do you mean?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the existence." remarked. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "How did you deduce the select?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are might help us?" late." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric walking." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is minor matters until to-morrow." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." see me here to avoid scandal." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Certainly." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution throat." that I can to serve you." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action unprecedented a position." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my all?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little weigh very heavily upon my conscience." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Do you go out much in society?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was drove away. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I answered that I had not. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall 1.F. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and the church but not where the lady lived." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the