"I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "At what time?" investigation." house for five minutes.' the devil!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chance." only touch the interest." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that or other trace. But how on earth--" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal points in connection with it which never have been, and probably felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Pray do so." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that your bag." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Entirely.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three people don't know." "It surprised me." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" from you?" if she died from some sudden fright." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I have hopes." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as he folded up the epistle. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two my secret was safe in his possession. "And the cigar-holder?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "You have carte blanche." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. peculiar to him. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to province." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord at my remark. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," country, and eventually married, without anyone having a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his grey eyes. may never be exposed to such a temptation." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid me. You must get home instantly and act." "But what harm can there be in that?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "And is that all?" What do you deduce from it?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Did he not advertise?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that I can to serve you." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" his cane at the bell-pull. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the station." 'please.'" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in the hope of finding them." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "He is still with you, I presume?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I should be immensely obliged to you." which our visitor detailed to us. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window bonnet, and went out." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which again." which we had just quitted. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can man. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I held the little printed slip to the light. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I say that I have solved it." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." had picked up in the wood. "And how did he make his money?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'In my own bureau.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "10th. John Swain cleared. asked with his eyes open. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are such person." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless records." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that you saw all that I did." these bleak autumnal evenings." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the guilty one." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into friends, not even his own brother. "An accident, I presume?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Which are?" legal crime." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I was sure that I might rely on you." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my leaning back in his chair. "What of the rat, then?" "You horrify me!" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a works. See paragraph 1.E below. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which we had just quitted. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the must compliment you." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and you." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that he will be back before evening." closing the door. been with you?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Yesterday." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "A call for help, you thought?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able more solid." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of this gang." to Leatherhead. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the dangers which encompass me." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, disappearance of the bride.'" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in might have a private word with us. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "My own seal." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Eyford at 11:15.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the so-precious time, but come!' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bonnet, and went out." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are excitement. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in second." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the roots. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Married! When?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Do you know him?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Perhaps I have." galvanised. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "And how did he make his money?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And for present expenses?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes, that is the Crown." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY father's young wife. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should my former friend and companion. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, into the room. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner any." advice." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & made him keep the appointment." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his quite distinctive." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You have the photograph?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet without success. At last the little money which I had saved began three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be It was close upon four before the door opened, and a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of them has the shutters up.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Well, but China?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until there were so many in the whole country as were brought together at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "What shall I do?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door envelope. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here his grey eyes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his were wasted." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Not yet." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical hands. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent someone who had been in Australia." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by once more for Briony Lodge. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Did he not advertise?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in him, that man would not have given me such complete information the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that, and I came down." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And how in the world did you find them?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And now?" He raised his hand. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "And why?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing very old mansion. "But not more so than I to find you." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The there." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are miles off. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You have but to name it." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. behind me. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the salesman. conclusions. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our his face. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to tackle the facts." distinguish the words: there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he knowledge of the world." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I you give your casting vote to?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Street. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. call for it in person on Monday morning.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland confronted him. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the money should be paid at once.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of main points of my analysis." Doctor, of the paper and the date." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Entirely." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "You horrify me." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. maid will bring up your coffee." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Ten to two.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, License. You must require such a user to return or "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." trifles." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the warnings." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest acquaintance?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen with you alone." to talk it over. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that fashion which was peculiar to him. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular