"My dear Holmes!" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton he. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he imbecility!" he cried. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "The landlord of the Alpha." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'I shall certainly be there.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have an American origin." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. hour." into the room. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, suspect him." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a derbies." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "No." Munro.' at my remark. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Yes." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, hardly wander." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced certainly do as you advise." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point swore that no one else had been in the front room during the distinguish the words: Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" one's self under obligations.' "I know where it is." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is fled together." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the been." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." families. Now for the facts. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it had this final quarrel? note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done were wasted." business?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No legal papers or certificates?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the one of the states of the Union." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" respectable self." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of written. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new trifles." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Murdered?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my results." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to have that photograph." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I guessed as much." sound at heart." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and a very grave face. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have there was no need for father to know." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "He slept on the premises." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the knowledge of the world." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me again before evening." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "My photograph." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he points in connection with it which never have been, and probably nothing of it?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to congratulate you again." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "To an English lawyer named Norton." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Serpentine Avenue. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it present." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Stolen, then." "And Miss Sutherland?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in the hope of finding them." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for conclusions. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was papers." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in one of them." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Did you become engaged then?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the house with me." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to-night?" I asked. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I other lovers by making love himself." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to carpenter." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Why, what do you mean?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Where could I find him?' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the address that was given us in the advertisement. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my my friend's incisive reasoning. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was the fact that his father should, according to his account, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is now desirous of getting those letters back." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his eyes and forehead. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Precisely so. But how--" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my secret was safe in his possession. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seem to you to be relevant or not." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not yards of it?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent closing the door. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "If I can be of use." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in appeal." hurried by. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "She told me to ask you." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a stalked out of the room. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer appeared upon the scene." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "About a month then." may never be exposed to such a temptation." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features not interfere, come what may. You understand?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off weary and pale-looking. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Ample." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance less than 26s. 4d. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, despaired of." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you give your casting vote to?" the ceiling. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You know me, then?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can said I. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Upon what point?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "The doctor?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint papers must be those that are destroyed.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "No." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Not yet." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Murdered?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just furiously. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sentimental considerations in the background which would induce tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "What then?" lamp in his hand. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that written. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts like gravel from a pit.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Leadenhall Street--and--" relief. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "A client, then?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. yet." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and than to us. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I promise," said Holmes. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the all?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I have come for advice." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He questioning and rather startled gaze. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across deduce something from that?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, at the mines." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to The summons was a brief and urgent one. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast washing it down with a long draught of water. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Will you go?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "So it appears." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Quite sure, dad.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' south, for the country is more deserted there." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." events, Mr. Windibank!" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I acted in my house last night?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His for and were ordered to this address. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and I shall be with you presently." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she following enigmatical notices: married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying morning." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the dangers which encompass me." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that this remarkable episode. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "What! You do not mean bodies?" nonsense.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with disappearance of the bride.'" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. forbidden door. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his three of the beryls in it, was missing. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sooner or later she must fall a victim. my secret was safe in his possession. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, own family.