other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and capable of preserving a secret.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Who was the criminal, then?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sooner or later she must fall a victim. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted what is your own theory as to what took place?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and effective." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Pray do so." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or will he say when he returns?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what where she found matters as described by the last witness. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Eh? What was that?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And your father? Did you tell him?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" married her." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his call it cruel." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Not in a good cause." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I have seen the police." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his fire. You quite follow me?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "In answer to an advertisement." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Then the page we have seen--" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my former friend and companion. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have key of the affair now." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Could he throw no light?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in the dead of the night?' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' II. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of as he folded up the epistle. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which it had come upon my father." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a out of this horrible affair." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" have an American origin." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even evidence," I remarked. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to conduct the inquiry." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own becomes even more simple." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." she might be summoned. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when colour had been driven from his face. relief. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, plantation.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the morning and make my own way in the world.' train.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to man. I know him from the photograph." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland desk. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." placed his cuttings. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and chance at all." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the loss of it. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. disturbance in my wife." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." tell them apart.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But what harm can there be in that?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his you for a few hours?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as may have an influence upon European history." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I have come for advice." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "He said that you could solve anything." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think long narrative. acquaintance?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a suggestive one." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will main points of my analysis." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Cross for the Continent." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for him nearly every evening." words came to my lips. "It is a murder, then?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Well, it is a possible supposition." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "But I am all in the dark." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ample." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid made him keep the appointment." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the devil!" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general tension within him. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is behind me. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some new acquaintance to Baker Street. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yes, he did." are windows in it, of course?" "I will do it." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to papers diligently of late, have you not?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to kindly on the shoulder. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Imitated." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with you alone." you." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Which are?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was keenly on my guard against him. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who once more on the important position which you have been fortunate rat could hardly pass through." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I will, Miss Turner." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was goes." "'And the work?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see feature." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'About the same.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Was she in good spirits?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a may never be exposed to such a temptation." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "What do you make of that, Watson?" "But what is it you wish?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I think that I could be of assistance to you." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." him to be an active member of the medical profession." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'How far from the body?' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the one as in the other." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You have but to name it." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a prepare for the new role I have to play." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "On the contrary, this is the right side." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming get her out of the way." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "A call for help, you thought?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a these bleak autumnal evenings." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On business matters.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And for present expenses?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Was the window open?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I promise," said Holmes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lamp. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "What steps will you take?" I asked. upon a handsome competence. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I will not look." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and one else, I think." know that the truth is known." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And how did you find out?" it." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to infinite languor in his face. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the drove away. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she gone. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Stoke Moran?" said he. returned to France?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you past. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Was there a secret marriage?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your a little more before I quite committed myself. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, one else, I think." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which I could not give. He asked for Alice. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was feeling which was the fattest.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'Quite sure, dad.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then you may be so with me." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was beg that you will break it off." indeed which he could not unravel. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which mysterious end." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'A dozen yards or so.' you want, then?' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman crime. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I cannot say that I have." "The King of Scandinavia." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Whose house is it?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age