all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you papers must be those that are destroyed.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "No. His orders were to stay in the house." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land absorbing." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "So it appears." door?" "'What, the red-headed man?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the words came to my lips. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But we can't all be." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third bare slabs of marble. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as allusion to a rat. "I fear not." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded swore that no one else had been in the front room during the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' infinite languor in his face. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'You doubt its value?' he asked. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Yes." third from London." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. is acting for the best. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way lumber-room." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Where did he live, then?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down existence." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary crowd. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while quickly through a disagreeable task. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have go back?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of footfalls from the street. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I should be immensely obliged to you." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No good news?" not fit the lock." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he examination of the premises, but without finding anything which shaken than I had ever seen him. "Was the window open?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips asked. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" is four-and-twenty." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "But you can know nothing of this?" "I am about to be married." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pressing in one house as in another. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the it right.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look mysterious end." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of answered with a sidelong glance. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of him!" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But to whom?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I have seen the police." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Dr. Becher's." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if carpenter." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored comes from the middle window." and looked back. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been extraordinary contortions. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This was a perfect sample of the class. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you less than 26s. 4d. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "The gentleman I describe." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But what will you do?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "He is still with you, I presume?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one asked with his eyes open. married her." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "And how did he make his money?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Do you go out much in society?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for strength of mind to control. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "That you are never beaten." the so-precious time, but come!' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ceremony." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some for and were ordered to this address. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'In my own bureau.' and effective." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through into the bag, and made for the door. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You are all wrong." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several case-book, which he consulted. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, him." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. time." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the salesman. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "But I have heard all that you have heard." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would are windows in it, of course?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you how narrow had been my escape. attention." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock mysterious business." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six minor matters until to-morrow." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Pool. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and 1.E.9. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "What do you make of that, Watson?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. bachelor.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he should be taken.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the roots. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "When did it break out?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by if she died from some sudden fright." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It is half-past ten now." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And now?" I asked. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is which are rolled in Rotterdam." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion became a certainty. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained way in everything. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the King without delay." excitement. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the matter?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cigar and let me expound." could go. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Then I shall certainly come." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. we went to search for him, face downward in a little would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bears upon the case?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "An accident, I presume?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a friends, not even his own brother. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'It is locked up,' I answered. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Not in a good cause." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties stood on the top of it. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "So it appears." that I can to serve you." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora him. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And Miss Sutherland?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ourselves in the office." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage opened the door, and slipped through. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Perhaps we may make them less so." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ourselves in the office." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded shall not find me ungrateful." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "What! a murderous attack?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with matter over." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "What shall I do?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. was already answered. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. stammered. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. straightened it out again. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. felt the room to be a little close.' it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY golden eyeglasses. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my placed his cuttings. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." look upon these things in a different way." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without chambers. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'What then?' I asked. Holmes' room. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It looks newer than the other things?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I should wish to." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for presume?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." at a side door. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the Friday. Was it to be in church?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many congratulate you again." about. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an What do you deduce from it?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a face and glided from the room. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to written, and locked the door of the office after me. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hard-headed British jury." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes, sir." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we