"Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and go back?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that he will be back before evening." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I beg that you will break it off." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Certainly." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to closely." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and wait." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Absolutely none." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up know all about it," he snarled. "On your arm?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." answer." "And I say east," said my patient. bird of prey. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, sufficient punishment." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And how have you succeeded?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in questionable one." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "My dear Holmes!" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It must be recovered." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Witness: Nothing definite. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Arthur Conan Doyle already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And how?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Oh, yes, easily." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the some city in a dream. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It conclusions. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and companion imperturbably. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "An accident, I presume?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Which surely he restored to their owner?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you have I gained?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Here?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Here?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right swore that no one else had been in the front room during the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to tackle the facts." taking in every detail of the apartment. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Very truly yours, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was other lovers by making love himself." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no said he. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole furiously. "'Never.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." invisible to me," I remarked. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there II. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "So I heard. You have him here?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "My dear Holmes!" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Will you go?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "What of the rat, then?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them as noiselessly as she had come. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "By no means." the King without delay." upon an income of about 60 pounds." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Yes, I promise.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "To an end?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'I am sure if I had known--' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes, the wine-cellar." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that?' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Deserted you?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an examination of the premises, but without finding anything which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and put his glass in his pocket. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by happened." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the outside." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark before, for it was considerably after midnight. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. disappearance of these gems?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and all of them with the keenest interest. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Very much so." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue geese which you supplied to the Alpha." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. breakfast." call for it in person on Monday morning.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." interests were the same as his." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or your troubles." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But your client--" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry ways of our fellow-men." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It missed him, then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I will not look." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve hour?' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hardly wander." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety within hail.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seem to you to be relevant or not." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Stolen, then." guilty one." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. foot. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, lost nothing by them." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes." know what is wrong with it.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "But he might be a bachelor." The King stared at him in amazement. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "The Coroner: What do you mean? was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper made his money." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no entirely lost his self-respect." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east everything which you would wish to know." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And now?" He raised his hand. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off flock.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came conclusions. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was purpose equally well?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But how did you gain them?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle once more for Briony Lodge. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It is a murder, then?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as must compliment you." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this cost them two and thirty pounds." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at point our research must commence, and we will begin it by horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By case before our client came into the room." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Why serious?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as out of this horrible affair." these bleak autumnal evenings." have had none more fantastic than this." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in letters?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Then I am your man." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "What!" he roared. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "In heaven's name, what for?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending into the room. "Dirty?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the window, rose as we entered. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now following enigmatical notices: and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "It certainly sounds feasible." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with good for you to do.' have I gained?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Was your sister dressed?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "What, then, did Peterson do?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And sit in the dark?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square disappearance of the bride.'" a room. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood these bleak autumnal evenings." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black