him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Where, indeed?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that?' sooner or later she must fall a victim. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "To the police?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had my secret was safe in his possession. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found digesting their breakfasts at home." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I cannot tell." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I horse could go." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets cigar and let me expound." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here thin, with a long, sharp nose?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Who by?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "No." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "In which, sir?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built evidence," I remarked. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies father's young wife. lamp. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I do you make of it all?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." gives a meaning to it." "Why did you beat the pavement?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he you came in." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was shining brightly. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" has little to do with my story." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Dr. Becher's." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, one of the states of the Union." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and your equipment. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the meant it for the best. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might when your master had gone out." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But what is it you wish?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to you." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a highly," said Holmes. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Then I can wait in the next room." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "How did you deduce the select?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill disappearance of these gems?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first too. has little to do with my story." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "But to whom?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he three of the beryls in it, was missing. hopeless attempt at recovering them." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "By no means." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sound at heart." with the outside air!" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing families. Now for the facts. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Did he not advertise?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It may not come to that," said Holmes. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided sooner or later she must fall a victim. "In which, sir?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in any little problem which you may submit to me." "I was sure that I might rely on you." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case villagers almost as much as their master. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "None." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be you for a few hours?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only as he folded up the epistle. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a know that the truth is known." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And help." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and records." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and indeed happy." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. see a sister of mine apply for." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call morning." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You think that he is dead?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them even of instruction." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was long narrative. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little skylight. chamber." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Dr. Becher's." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Precisely." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Stolen." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the very morning of the wedding." "He slept on the premises." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny experiences." in. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Certainly." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "She showed me, as I told you she would." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his ordinary clothes on?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was during which he might have communicated with his friend the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is looking up at the numbers of the houses." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this disappearance of these gems?" "Frequently." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous occurred." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the hurried by. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And is that all?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "My Mary? Impossible!" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to you." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Then I do not see the point." gone before you can get him to hospital." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire with some details as to your case." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny searched, without anything being found which could incriminate 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without matter." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of a light. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "No, I had a dozen." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I saw her in conversation with her maid." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do nice household for a young lady." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you for a few hours?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a cup of tea. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Edgeware Road. "It looks newer than the other things?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a face and glided from the room. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "No, but the enclosure is." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and as he remarks, very much against the son." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I should wish to." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was feeling which was the fattest.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save too. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY strength of mind to control. all?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the warnings." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders American. Then who could this American be, and why should he let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Very good.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk affair. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes. He waved his hands." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "But not more so than I to find you." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when least a fellow-countryman. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It over with notes and figures. do.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nonsense.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts already referred to. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, I. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is half-past ten now." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "9th. McCauley cleared. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "At what time?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout your only hope of safety." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is