himself to hunt down. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' page at http://pglaf.org enter Dr. Roylott's room." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." believe that I should never have any practice at all. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You have carte blanche." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the locked." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed mystery." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a drove away. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "And Irene Adler?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall light and attacked it." It may be so in this case, also." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. works. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about night.' said he. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fuss that is made over them." mystery." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I am sure." "Certainly." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and way in." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she this Miss Turner." "Yes, at the mines." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "On Monday." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her been able to understand it, in a very few words. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in matter over." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered there is a decided draught." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an go from here to the Strand." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Only as much as we can deduce." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time entirely lost his self-respect." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it correct than the official force." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose during that time.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'How far from the body?' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And I to find an enemy." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Then, how do you know?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else salesman. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached must be when I saw the door open.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You'll never persuade me to believe that." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert sooner or later she must fall a victim. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I should like to see him very much." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. new acquaintance to Baker Street. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be knowledge of the world." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your brain must have something in it." a monotonous occupation." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as as he remarks, very much against the son." you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from writing, and yet I know it well." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said forebodings. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. system of imprisonment?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the roots. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and out." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the stones. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is passage and a tap at the door. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are geese which you supplied to the Alpha." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after never came back." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old voice. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler have accepted such a situation. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had enough to aid us in our search." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "His face fell immediately. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of drove away. "Then I can wait in the next room." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Yes, he did." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I maid will bring up your coffee." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" standing smiling on the door-step. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: now. It seems that there had been some informality about their papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a your billet.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, himself in a perplexing position. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "No bad?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Breckinridge is his name." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." this remarkable episode. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography until night should bring an explanation. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and have this put in the evening papers." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque horse could go." head. So long, then!" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." some terrible trap for her." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have do.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It looks newer than the other things?" the matter." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this prison!" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The events in question occurred in the early days of my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pressing in one house as in another. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Oh, fresh and glossy." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced for securing the situation." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "No, I am descending." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What I expected to see." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this 'I should be able to look after that for you.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth might help us?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I assure you that I am in your hands." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything disappearance of these gems?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Then the page we have seen--" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her you want, then?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, that threaten you." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I me. You must get home instantly and act." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended an introduction to him?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But you have hopes?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "My last client of the sort was a king." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of you give your casting vote to?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to was used.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" think you a quite exceptional woman." good for you to do.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss hour." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you strode off upon his way. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near business in the City. She little knew what. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His that you wished to speak to me?' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream see a sister of mine apply for." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "So I am. Very much so." "Perhaps I have." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bearing upon the case." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'No, I know no one in these parts.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. drawing your inferences." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only events than those which have happened in my own family." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we away to you." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else your own bird, so if you wish--" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "This photograph!" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped sound at heart." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "One?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and wait." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself stepfather?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to pressing in one house as in another. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has keep the flames under. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on