"I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "She told me to ask you." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I am not easy in my mind about them." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already good-night and bustled off upon her way. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those pound a week." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was investigation." good for you to do.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hair?' were new raised from a basin. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "A call for help, you thought?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Is purely nominal.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to miss it." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "How did you trace it, then?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire http://gutenberg.net/license). away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a tied." "'I have heard so.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was lame." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." have been better. It is all right." "What, then?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." breakfast." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's writer." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were row." "Not in a good cause." companion imperturbably. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. standing smiling on the door-step. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Foundation "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a monotonous occupation." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'And the work?' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this obstinate." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "That was it, sir." said he. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could breakfast and whispered something to her husband. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "He is dead," cried several voices. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you for a few hours?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would like gravel from a pit.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. used to be." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project me. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Bought." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his death." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I have hopes." letters?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I think that I had better go, Holmes." more solid." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "My private note-paper." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor used to be." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. in a friendly supper." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. remarked. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the coroner come to?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, forebodings. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "That is unusual in a young girl." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Sutherland. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the past. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Ha! you find it so?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. said he. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you his forehead." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, place of silver." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." business came to an end." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "He said too much." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "None." he bowed and left the room without another word. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "But she will refuse." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they crackling voice. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "And how did you verify them?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You don't mind breaking the law?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be forbidden door. "No?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir families. Now for the facts. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one your troubles." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was too. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be gone before you can get him to hospital." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business tell them apart.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly it." tell him that I know him to be innocent." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend your only hope of safety." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his him to go away.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two sentimental considerations in the background which would induce summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his discontent upon his features. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the tragedy. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Entirely." started for the Temple to see my husband. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Eyford." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "One of his hands." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of receipt of the work. Serpentine Avenue. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "It is his hat." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a monotonous occupation." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." forebodings. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "By all means." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to mysterious end." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I. conceal it?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six in the port of London." point in the dark hollow of his hand. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was shining brightly. "'Is purely nominal.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And I." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I do." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be enough to aid us in our search." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind directly by questioning you." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "This concluded the examination of the witness." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "ARAT," I read. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our detained." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Is 4 pounds a week.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of papers." trying to your nerves." he bowed and left the room without another word. sufficient punishment." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well approach us with offers to donate. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was the fact that his father should, according to his account, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the papers on the sundial.'" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'As governess?' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. someone who had been in Australia." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Where did he live, then?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my success. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search experiences." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I returning from some small jollification and was making his way which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no records." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yesterday." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of letters?" said he. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'I have already given you my word.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in darkness. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you think, you have already met." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Nothing?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he himself in a perplexing position. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case prison!" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become note?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them