springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the house with me." them?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, crackling voice. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind there!' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in you." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But how will you look?" habit of advancing money.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could formed some opinion?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the drawing your inferences." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business meanly of me." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then I can wait in the next room." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from him and tried to hold him back. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It missed him, then?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Perhaps I have." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I cannot tell." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Was he the only applicant?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Will you go?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their been shamefully used." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. behind me. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future has little to do with my story." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I have solved it." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And I." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to surprise her." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would there." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cheerful." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And the cigar-holder?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "You horrify me!" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, strode off upon his way. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I saw her in conversation with her maid." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Stoke Moran?" said he. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which might help us?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I weary and pale-looking. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with away to you." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "That's no good." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "At the wedding breakfast." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was helping a boy to put up the shutters. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "What can it mean?" I gasped. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." examine." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, letters?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him you understand?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has six. Come in!" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that morning." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the salesman. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not again before evening." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "You did not overhear what they said?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and compunction about shooting them down." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her himself in a perplexing position. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the very morning of the wedding." and inquire as to the address." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my evidence," I remarked. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Was he the only applicant?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive likely to be some crony of the landlady's." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was respectable self." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for and were ordered to this address. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "What do you mean?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I am still in the dark." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the happened." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you during which he might have communicated with his friend the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to disappearance of these gems?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To suspect him." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for golden eyeglasses. "Get out!" said he. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you least a fellow-countryman. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding charged with?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with tell me that you intended to go into harness." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which eat it." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." people in all walks of life. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them than was visible to me." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Witness: I must still refuse. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point started for the Temple to see my husband. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down flock.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from six. Come in!" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Your French gold?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Certainly." there was no need for father to know." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous already been minutely examined." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for cup of tea. conclusions. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "How often?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and the whole place is in a blaze." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, best detective that ever lived. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. fluttered off among the others. prison!" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this crime." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side some terrible trap for her." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But not more so than I to find you." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Come in!" said he. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my shoulder; "he's all right." outsides of the windows. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from husband's writing, madam." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of the vacancies.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. is now desirous of getting those letters back." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he get her out of the way." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "He is dead," cried several voices. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, his face. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It must be recovered." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" maiden herself was most instructive." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "On your arm?" amused." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen will he say when he returns?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an least a fellow-countryman. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was undoubtedly my uncle's." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the house with me." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I have it here in my museum." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I guessed as much." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Was the window open?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I never have." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and your relations to her." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "None." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, away to you." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open prepare for the new role I have to play." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be him!" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I am to be neutral?" "But you have hopes?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You are hungry," I remarked. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in strength." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to have that photograph." prepare for the new role I have to play." "What?" chemical work which was so dear to him. instituted." "My own seal." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked himself in a perplexing position. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him definite end. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms better grown goose." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our for and were ordered to this address. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Yes, the wine-cellar." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Were they all fastened this morning?" had a long day." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to have that photograph." digesting their breakfasts at home." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." was used.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We despair." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "But she will refuse." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a invisible to me," I remarked. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And Irene Adler?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid is," said he presently: have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that threaten you." other, as fresh and trim as possible. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do will not take me long to tell. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in noble correspondent could be. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then, as to money?" "Here?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my present." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No, I had a dozen." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Pray let us have it, for all that." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Where did you address your letters, then?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business."