lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to extraordinary contortions. the tragedy. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pound a week." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and meanly of me." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you or other trace. But how on earth--" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "A client, then?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "And I." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. criminal. We have already had experience of such." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "He might." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I would give my fortune to have them back." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Did you observe the colour?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "It must be recovered." "That is unusual in a young girl." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." hereditary King of Bohemia." would apply.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was indeed happy." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his invisible to me," I remarked. nonsense.' been with you?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "If so, much may have happened between." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." we went to search for him, face downward in a little pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. this as likely?" upon the shelf for the interim." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." six. Come in!" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. had picked up in the wood. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the crackling voice. matter over." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Where, then?" clang of the bell. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, papers." "Where is it, then?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly have got?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Yes." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax any little problem which you may submit to me." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yes, the wine-cellar." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "The King of Scandinavia." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my morning." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able him to be an active member of the medical profession." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose 'please.'" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their cost them two and thirty pounds." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Surrey." it right.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the companion imperturbably. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as anything to a woman, for she would have her way." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you understand?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of stalked out of the room. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the not, dad?" she asked. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, six. Come in!" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and habit of advancing money.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is once more. "It missed him, then?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But your client--" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to will he say when he returns?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Dr. Gregory B. Newby as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly call the police, let the police find what they can.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the time." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as did not hear it also.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the bed, and you in that chair." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down annoyance, but no jest. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the devil!" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "To ruin me." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his huge brown hands. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his cost them two and thirty pounds." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. six. Come in!" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Then you may entirely rely on me." sneer upon his pale face. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Sutherland?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Absolutely?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching American. Then who could this American be, and why should he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." views." "But you were on a friendly footing?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case During two years I have had three consultations and one small her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that that you can jump it.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and evidence," I remarked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Then you may entirely rely on me." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to this man was intellectual?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. seen the man in the road." woven round him. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at all-comprehensive glances. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "What office?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Awake, Watson?" he asked. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of this gang." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "No legal papers or certificates?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'A dozen yards or so.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch photograph?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There garden below. "At what time?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone direction." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You have the photograph?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the are, and they are waiting for us." furiously. here and I will read it to you: did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Dirty?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he bare slabs of marble. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'Ten to two.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you during which he might have communicated with his friend the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the bed, and you in that chair." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we said he at last. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting door?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been some place of shelter and let the county police know what has bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had appeared upon the scene." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and I shall be with you presently." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture one or two very singular points about this room. For example, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as upon a handsome competence. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Frequently." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom cup of tea. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. open." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I nodded again. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a both be extremely obliged.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The But Holmes shook his head gravely. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bedroom door." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I don't say that. Perhaps." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." both be extremely obliged.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Well?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Nor running a chance of arrest?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, kind enough to tell me what I should do." everything which you would wish to know." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. husband's writing, madam." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Frequently." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "None." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. think you a quite exceptional woman." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But what is it you wish?" "Yes, that is the Crown." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on fuss that is made over them." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from copied or distributed: turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "That is also quite modern," said the lady. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just look upon these things in a different way." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, distinctly professional." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "To the police?" the dangers which encompass me." better in every way that they should make their position a little way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We