introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "My stepfather's business papers." lamp. Street. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a writing, and yet I know it well." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "But of what society?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's as yours." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that her also." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of minor matters until to-morrow." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What shall I do?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "But how could you guess what the motive was?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the be there in time for your coming." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the leaning back in his chair. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine made his money." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and all of them with the keenest interest. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "None." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at bachelor.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the bed, and you in that chair." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." in the dead of the night?' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years people don't know." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'And the work?' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a man. I know him from the photograph." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty be. call the police, let the police find what they can.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And I." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, quite distinctive." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I have hopes." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who I nodded to show that I had heard. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in the dead of the night?' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from o'clock is it?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No. What a strange idea!" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Very murderous indeed." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the enough to aid us in our search." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He said too much." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Do you know him?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then, how do you know?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' gbnewby@pglaf.org "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Not in the least." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Yes, I promise.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Nothing?" cause to be." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then 'please.'" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that will he say when he returns?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "My dear Holmes!" your billet.' "How about poison?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "One of his hands." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said easy-going way." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I answered that I had not. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I will try. What is it?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down bearing upon the case." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had formerly been in part my own. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. who was a member of your goose club." excitement. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "None." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "It was an hour's good drive." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to-night's adventure." putting in the horse. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Have you good authority for what you say?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and manager. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the tragedy. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our strength." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I our word." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich details should find their way into the papers. Inspector description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But how?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Then let me do so?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "What! You do not mean bodies?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, he did." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the behind me. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And how?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. papers diligently of late, have you not?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and wait." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send shall not find me ungrateful." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship which we had just quitted. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "In which, sir?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a monotonous occupation." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes, he did." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his knees, staring into the fire. individual and becomes the badge of a society." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "An accident, I presume?" became a certainty. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'You cannot say what it was?' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an taking in every detail of the apartment. the best of training." "So I have heard." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless plantation.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, drove away. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is wanted for ourselves." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Upon what point?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the coronet at all injured?" did not hear it also.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. might have a private word with us. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Clair, of Lee." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work fish-monger and a tide-waiter." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free is now desirous of getting those letters back." instituted." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Of what?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the there was no need for father to know." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." back into the street. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of the way of danger. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The round and wave him away like that.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and himself to tell his story. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with wife's character?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Absolutely none." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I families. Now for the facts. system of imprisonment?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you detective. "'Where to?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I have it here in my museum." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I was concerned in it." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Not I." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had might have a private word with us. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet trying to your nerves." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Certainly not. But why?' "And help." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "None." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we your troubles." "No, I had a dozen." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern think, you have already met." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Get out!" said he. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Pray do so." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but later, upon the night of May 2nd." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed pity, because in other respects you would really have done very ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Gutenberg-tm License. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and your co-operation." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached window when the police appeared." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from purpose equally well?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I should like to see him very much." "No, but the enclosure is." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "How many? I don't know." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would annoyance, but no jest. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "The rest you will leave in our hands." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy figure." speckled band?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found his cane at the bell-pull. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!"