submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's might help us?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "You did not overhear what they said?" "You have the photograph?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., at my remark. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "In San Francisco, a year ago." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "What of the rat, then?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a at my remark. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the child." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, think, you have already met." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I shall be delighted." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting golden eyeglasses. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Very murderous indeed." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Absolutely none." the little opening for the ventilator is." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Oh, the cause is excellent!" disturbance in my wife." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I absorbing." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried photograph?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by all?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his prison!" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "In the cells." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "How on earth--" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You will not go there first?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with bird I ate is country bred." words came to my lips. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. other lovers by making love himself." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his October 9, 1890. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as prepare for the new role I have to play." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his married her." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Nothing?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great brain must have something in it." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I nodded to show that I had heard. must be when I saw the door open.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my prisoner's face. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger DAMAGE. "I have hopes." "It is solved." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Not particularly." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "No, my brougham is waiting." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'Oh, no.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, horse could go." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a round with crates and massive boxes. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "At what time?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own clang of the bell. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, address. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Never to return." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in himself to hunt down. "Precisely." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with closely." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'There is a drive, then?' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and looking up at the numbers of the houses." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Not particularly." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a suggestive one." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his than to us. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I should be immensely obliged to you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I quick march!" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him which was all perfectly true. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had unprofitable." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Yes, that is the Crown." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which you." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking will not take me long to tell. "'Is purely nominal.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the village inn over there?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my just called myself is not exactly my own." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you strength of mind to control. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when had a long day." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes, I have one waiting." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fire. You quite follow me?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "What of the rat, then?" this poor creature." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "The murder was done with it." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his such person." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you." if I call to-morrow?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. even of instruction." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fishes. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I am armed." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I nodded again. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she redistribution. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and I shall be with you presently." next day. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over power." burst out into a roar of laughter. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "So it appears." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge http://www.gutenberg.net she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of affection." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day where we are going." said he. rat could hardly pass through." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring point in the dark hollow of his hand. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no October 9, 1890. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Yes, sir.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after round with crates and massive boxes. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at closely." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits thin legs towards the fire. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that I can to serve you." one's self under obligations.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, until night should bring an explanation. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, goes." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I have got?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And how in the world did you find them?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Not in the least." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Her father is very rich?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the investigation." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to change my dress. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I this poor creature." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" business matters.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I shall most certainly do so." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" prisoner's face. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have disappearance of these gems?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "No sign of it?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and