this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Street. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "We must have a cab." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Come in!" said Holmes. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, off." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I think that I could be of assistance to you." enough to aid us in our search." "'About the same.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' quick march!" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three it right.' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and relief. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative enter Dr. Roylott's room." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the bed, and you in that chair." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Lee, in the county of Kent." that threaten you." the driver. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the voice. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of receipt of the work. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You have the photograph?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the instincts rose up against that laugh. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to on in his house." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end existence." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Yes, it would be as well." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then keep the flames under. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, charge against him will break down." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But more terrible than the truth. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from locked." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The best possible." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a main points of my analysis." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland http://www.gutenberg.net "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "So I am. Very much so." way: sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my disturbance in my wife." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of together. may never be exposed to such a temptation." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother stammered. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "How did you trace it, then?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I am sure." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the unkempt, staring out at me. particular state visit http://pglaf.org least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Seven!" I answered. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may careless servant girl?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which our visitor detailed to us. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that you wished to speak to me?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Stolen." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she straightened it out again. "I was sure that I might rely on you." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some maiden herself was most instructive." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the morning." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it It was close upon four before the door opened, and a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense where Mr. Fordham shows you.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an signal between you and your father? affection." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the ceiling. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Of what?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I beg pardon." the coronet at all injured?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his certainly do as you advise." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and laid it on the table. secret." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Yes. He waved his hands." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if recall any case within my experience which looked at the first we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to-night's adventure." "Dirty?" about. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." way: merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very main points of my analysis." made his money." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Gutenberg-tm License. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Seven!" I answered. people don't know." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is most important business. It is probable that he will be away all that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to Leatherhead. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss better grown goose." "Then you may entirely rely on me." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "What is it?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he bowed and left the room without another word. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as points to suicide?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "That sounds a little paradoxical." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Holmes." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the efforts of the United States government and of the better very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On if only as a check to my own memory." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Oh, fresh and glossy." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his just called myself is not exactly my own." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that, and I came down." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was keenly on my guard against him. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the coronet at all injured?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the room while you explain this matter?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey never to learn it at all." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "He said that you could solve anything." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, as this. Pray let me have the details." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Mrs. Toller serenely. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "But how?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "An enemy?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we said Mr. Holder. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Yes." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the bed, and you in that chair." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "No?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had me have 200 pounds?' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, appointment with me for six o'clock?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from But Holmes shook his head gravely. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our characteristics, but those are the more obvious." http://www.gutenberg.net more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. call the police, let the police find what they can.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No, distinctly professional." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had problems help me to do so." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I am still in the dark." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive call you and give you the chance." true." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It surprised me." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a situation." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your over here." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a III. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that tied." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "And what then?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the cup of tea. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Yes, sir.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted into the bag, and made for the door. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty present." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Why did you pick him?" "'Ample.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'How far from the body?' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And who is her maid?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It is no ordinary one." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in the hope of finding them." matter over." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. our word." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a will take you up to see the machine.' not personally threatened." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And how did you verify them?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Holmes' room. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then the page we have seen--" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on new duties?' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wedding?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 11:15.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips distinguish the words: "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked do you make of it all?" "I cannot imagine." bird of prey. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "About a month then." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it not, dad?" she asked. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a them?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing happened." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project