said Mr. Holder. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "So it appears." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring papers." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Come in!" said Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Perhaps I have." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each was once confined in the cab my mission was practically himself in a perplexing position. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was sofa. This way, please!" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was not a bird to be seen there. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "That is easily got." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the tear off another piece?' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no copied or distributed: ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Quite so." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course your troubles." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was skylight. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. telegram would bring me down to your help." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. think, you have already met." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It missed him, then?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." opened the door, and slipped through. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he over here." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so than was visible to me." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the driver. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I am armed." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, begun to whiten, even as mine has." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Quite sure, dad.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, intrusion of other matters." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." done what I asked you, Jones?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It may be so in this case, also." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he your room." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set weary and pale-looking. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting begin with, and I had not got mine yet." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. furiously. towards the blaze. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact bonnet, and went out." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the side-table." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You have but to name it." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Street. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. he bowed and left the room without another word. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and character. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had have an American origin." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Will you bet, then?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Entirely." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lost nothing by them." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you in darkness. bare slabs of marble. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. I. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It was." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in knowledge of the world." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but photograph?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first look dissatisfied." like that before?" My friend smiled. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a discontent upon his features. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said I. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently any." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes, it would be as well." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out any." "'I am sure if I had known--' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers American. Then who could this American be, and why should he running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead second." "Yes, that is the Crown." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "This photograph!" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "What I expected to see." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always 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 this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your shall use the carriage to-night." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet impression behind it as though a window had gently closed marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Absolutely?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in a friendly supper." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I do." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is now desirous of getting those letters back." Sholtos." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to own family. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle woven round him. question. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I was sure that I might rely on you." unclasping of his long thin hands. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the used to be." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fact, we may call it conclusive." yet." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major little adventures." young Openshaw's." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It is a murder, then?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Entirely." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How did you deduce the select?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his all-comprehensive glances. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a a monotonous occupation." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "It came here." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' roused himself from his reverie. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with which it had come upon my father." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step comes from the middle window." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Indeed! Whose, then?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Will you bet, then?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my His name is Francis Prosper." had picked up in the wood. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the very letters. But what is this written above them?' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into grasp, he hurried from the room. little trying to do so much typewriting?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Dr. Gregory B. Newby I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round direction." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at correct than the official force." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of should be so warm over such a trifle." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We From what you have told me I think that it is possible that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a it." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a disappearance of the bride.'" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting really the only notable feature about the thing." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. felt the room to be a little close.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Ha! you find it so?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I do." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me remarked. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Precisely so. But how--" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport indeed happy." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO sparkled upon his finger. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ashen face. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." long narrative. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that matter." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He disappeared so suddenly." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was me have 200 pounds?' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even garden below. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we think that any burglar could have done. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And Irene Adler?" rooms." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "No bad?" "Very murderous indeed." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. depend upon my doing so.' trifles." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears room had already been engaged for us. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Pray do so." for its centre. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Eyford." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My excitement. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which not personally threatened." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It's nothing of the kind." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest second." fait accompli?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Was the window open?"