was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My private note-paper." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "How did that help you?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Well?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Literary Archive Foundation their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "What then?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked in him." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Do you know him?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "No, I think that I'll take it." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge would apply.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I nodded again. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My kindly on the shoulder. than to us. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a said he. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But it has twice been burgled." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, speckled band?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and fear." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly upon the sideboard." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Texas, I think." any little problem which you may submit to me." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more lumber-room." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all confronted him. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And sit in the dark?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bedroom door." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Holmes, the busybody!" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Is purely nominal.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and long narrative. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "That is unusual in a young girl." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to views." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I cannot say that I have." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great hand, madam?" your only hope of safety." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'What, the red-headed man?' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to arrive at through this?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been all that?" his eyes and forehead. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You were travelling in the States?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to change my dress. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" putting in the horse. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been closing the door. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his cost them two and thirty pounds." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Who by?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious up this clue while it is still hot." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Precisely." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hard-headed British jury." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "But how will you look?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "The knees of his trousers." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling other means.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work stood on the top of it. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of passage and a tap at the door. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was quite distinctive." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Have you her photograph?" "And that is--" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in excitement. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he south, for the country is more deserted there." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Serpentine Avenue. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two again." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself kind enough to tell me what I should do." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I might have a private word with us. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And it is--" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold records." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal papers diligently of late, have you not?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the heavy and sharp instrument." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten trying to your nerves." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, seven miles from Eyford Station.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Watson," he said cordially. views." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question residence of the great financier. "I guessed as much." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast extraordinary contortions. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence both be extremely obliged.' know that the truth is known." prisoner's face. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain fasten all the windows?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to some other building. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall me. You must get home instantly and act." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this observed. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" there was no need for father to know." behind me. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But who is he?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and business matters.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle again." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hardly wander." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City depend upon my doing so.' time." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "But what is it you wish?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Indeed! Whose, then?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the man. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more girl said." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, beyond words. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, seem to you to be relevant or not." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him investigation." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "What can it mean?" I gasped. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his peculiar to him. someone who had been in Australia." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." maiden herself was most instructive." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. coat-tails." to take care of herself." will be renamed. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free yet." you?' meanly of me." the coronet at all injured?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done experiences." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and careless servant girl?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I warn you that they are very incomplete." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I nodded to show that I had heard. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering ourselves in the office." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'And what are they worth?' I asked. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which kindly on the shoulder. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in your troubles." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. business at Coburg Square is serious." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we conversation I have gathered that they have been married about once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the best of training." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "And what did you learn from him?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Street. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the general public were present, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in the port of London." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it giving me time to thank him. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned girl said." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted here." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard said he at last. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, sir." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been placed his cuttings. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a at home. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "What then?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the side. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his highroad, where all traces were lost. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part