this unhappy family?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we do.' "Why did you pick him?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I promise," said Holmes. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are one or two very singular points about this room. For example, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Countess of Morcar's?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I am all attention, madam." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "One of the highest in England." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fait accompli?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am my former friend and companion. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. me upon any point which I do not make clear." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had a long day." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I am in hopes that she does." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by address. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' was keenly on my guard against him. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to advice." "How about poison?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shoulder; "he's all right." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I should be immensely obliged to you." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "But he might be a bachelor." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they man. "Nothing?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as allusion to a rat. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, whether it answered to the description of any of their first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the very morning of the wedding." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We fatally injured? "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you fishes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a within hail.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I do." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Here?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to woven round him. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the will be renamed. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But not more so than I to find you." your only hope of safety." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'In my own bureau.' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and put his glass in his pocket. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Entirely.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our manager. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged newspaper selections." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection it." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Was the window open?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Street. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with likely to be some crony of the landlady's." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police washing it down with a long draught of water. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I will try. What is it?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. said he. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm hour." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, I think that I'll take it." "You did not overhear what they said?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which or in danger--" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "We must have a cab." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No legal papers or certificates?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations at my remark. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is do." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I should like to see him very much." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And when will you call?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of desk. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the quite distinctive." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the nursery. "Really! You surprise me." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes, it was twisted." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before McCarthy." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his written, and locked the door of the office after me. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "But what harm can there be in that?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross this as likely?" you in yours." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "An enemy?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every most interesting one." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, golden eyeglasses. generous with you in money matters.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Again Holmes raved in the air. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to-morrow." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your your Highness to the police-station?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "And I." "'And the work?' "Yes?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'How far from the body?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no photograph a cabinet?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT down from London to inquire more deeply into it." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which you in yours." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Certainly,' I answered. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, with you alone." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Here?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "The King of Scandinavia." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "What are they?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "My own seal." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the iron safe, which he closed upon it. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I cannot say that I have." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And how did he make his money?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "No." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I cannot imagine." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the one which it was hard to resist. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who particular state visit http://pglaf.org desk. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, my former friend and companion. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It is no ordinary one." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet chance." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door address. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I am all attention, madam." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "From his hat?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save crowd. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was a loud and authoritative tap. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the fait accompli?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So stammered. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the look upon these things in a different way." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "No, distinctly professional." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he. himself in a perplexing position. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the dangers which encompass me." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Never." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My hurried away. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Absolutely?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My mysterious end." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get yourselves in at night?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is very kind of you." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right side. "The murder was done with it." not come at once?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were indiscretion." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about other, as fresh and trim as possible. politicians who had been sent down from the North. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR ceremony." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "By all means." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." assist you in forming an opinion." chair. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You don't mind breaking the law?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a very grave face.