their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to-night?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to affect your life." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman a little more before I quite committed myself. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it cigar and let me expound." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it envelope. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It is very clear." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Really! You surprise me." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" leaning back in his chair. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, most interesting one." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "May I see it?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Of what day?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I have already given you my word.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Of Friday, June 19th." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. vault. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just direction." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation License. You must require such a user to return or prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers nothing of it?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." your co-operation." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than over here." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. within hail.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Count Von Kramm." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, should be so warm over such a trifle." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they foot. "Ten will be early enough." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' read it out to me." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was congratulate you again." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he crackling voice. yourselves in at night?" everything which you would wish to know." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some business?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One envelope. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You were travelling in the States?" there is a decided draught." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a such attractions and accomplishments?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of the one which your family is now devouring." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. everything which you would wish to know." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass helping a boy to put up the shutters. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, green of the new foliage. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the help us in this matter." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, hands. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the window, rose as we entered. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." British peeress.'" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "9th. McCauley cleared. "But we can't all be." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner said he. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, row." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, people don't know." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of locked." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Ah!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had keep the flames under. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Here?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the way: lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "How did that help you?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his huge brown hands. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you?' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with some details as to your case." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless thirty. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Deserted you?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with salesman. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Precisely so. But how--" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I think that I had better go, Holmes." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was past. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I question. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It is half-past ten now." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other golden eyeglasses. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." in the port of London." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "But your client--" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of Mr. Rucastle's." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not papers." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there walking." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, them, and came down just as you departed. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. in him." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that papers diligently of late, have you not?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort system of imprisonment?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have had none more fantastic than this." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Not yet." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. his grey eyes. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United did not hear it also.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her plantation.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Arthur Conan Doyle hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My opinion is in no way altered." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had ventilator." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the noting anything else of interest. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "And how in the world did you find them?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but leave you to your papers for a little." "None." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a skylight. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked more terrible than the truth. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the guilty parties." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I am all attention, madam." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No, I think that I'll take it." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "And it is--" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and glanced through. as yours." outside. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "At what time?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "One of his hands." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent people in all walks of life. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You are hungry," I remarked. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this Miss Turner." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "No, thank goodness, she did not." Street. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "One?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside purpose of examination. "We were both in the photograph." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Quite so." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. is now desirous of getting those letters back." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Quite so." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of it with the greatest attention. sparkled upon his finger. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the attention." generous with you in money matters.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a crackling voice. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our married her." "So I am. Very much so." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this lost nothing by them." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You have compromised yourself seriously." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "What then?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You certainly do as you advise."