nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Yes." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else brought there to personate someone, and the real person is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel vault. sparkled upon his finger. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight presented more singular features than that which was associated used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "That was it, sir." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY better grown goose." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind writer." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to arrive at through this?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'A dozen yards or so.' pound a week." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Street. "Thank you. And your address?" "What then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Quite sure, dad.' in darkness. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'What, the red-headed man?' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. certainly do as you advise." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to-night's adventure." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is sentimental considerations in the background which would induce mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar highly," said Holmes. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I would give my fortune to have them back." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a suggestive one." "And what did you learn from him?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Oh, no.' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Holmes. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Why? What do you mean?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It goes to the housekeeper's room." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a bird of prey. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." asked. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some some mystery and the punishment of some crime." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was lame." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And how in the world did you find them?" where we are going." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, clanging. the date of his supposed suicide." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, returning from some small jollification and was making his way asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and main points of my analysis." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in friend's singular character. union?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, invisible to me," I remarked. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you?' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant matters immensely." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Stolen." noble correspondent could be. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What! Had he lost his wife?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Quite so. She has her freedom." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on all that?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot photograph?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I himself to hunt down. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and careless servant girl?" "'Never,' said I. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." true." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the room while you explain this matter?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to His smile broadened. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "That's no good." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. suspect him." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just call it cruel." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at empty. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City laugh and put his lips to my ear. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises narrative." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: cigars in the box." "Ha! you find it so?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' developed." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is For additional contact information: I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen when your master had gone out." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I cannot think." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Chief Executive and Director lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." are, and they are waiting for us." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards himself. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a behind me. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And for present expenses?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, it is a possible supposition." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever pictures, libraries, or plate. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He your most interesting statement." "I will, Miss Turner." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a case-book, which he consulted. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. possible that we could bring him back to her? from you?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is bonnet, and went out." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents house for five minutes.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a public press." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. must compliment you." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." lost nothing by them." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, thin legs towards the fire. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded are windows in it, of course?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very photograph a cabinet?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my directly by questioning you." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Well, it is a possible supposition." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the night.' said he. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "10th. John Swain cleared. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss case-book, which he consulted. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from at my remark. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a do you make of it all?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite entirely lost his self-respect." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the what these perils are?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk may have an influence upon European history." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This national property. I was determined that the law should have its gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Ample.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held certainly do as you advise." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Nothing." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 11:15.' ventilator." DAMAGE. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from happened." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." stood on the top of it. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent drawing your inferences." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed events than those which have happened in my own family." friends, not even his own brother. was a perfect sample of the class. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the conceal it?" jewels which you have stolen?' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have not had my rubber." "Where, then, is my wife?" and the colonel ushered me in. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that figure." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way drawing your inferences." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Do you go out much in society?" photograph?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "But what is it you wish?" "What of the rat, then?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the salesman. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" look upon these things in a different way." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of charge against him will break down." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my