brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred chair. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going before the coroner and the police-court." promised to bring home. have I gained?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it what these perils are?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the his face which made him a very different person to the round, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I business at Coburg Square is serious." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Perhaps I have." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account shall use the carriage to-night." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather discontent upon his features. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and could not have written that. It is the German who is so glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking weary and pale-looking. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "That you are never beaten." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. your Highness to the police-station?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I have it here in my museum." wedding?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Pool. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or chamber." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "No legal papers or certificates?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' your bag." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of both be extremely obliged.' himself to tell his story. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that he has suffered." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about have been better. It is all right." we went to search for him, face downward in a little shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything desk. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'What do you call purely nominal?' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Has he come with you to-night?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind kind enough to tell me what I should do." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of even so self-evident a thing as that." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Holmes. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and hour?' "Yes, he did." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Pool. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" with you alone." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Who by?" "You did not overhear what they said?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from answer." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it questioning and rather startled gaze. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'I am sure if I had known--' "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You have compromised yourself seriously." rose-bushes. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sufficient punishment." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of Fenchurch Street." "Was the window open?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. handed it to him. carried out of court." "The rest you will leave in our hands." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I have not had my rubber." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and humiliation." existence." attention." status with the IRS. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small desk. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an conceal it?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY must compliment you." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Holmes' room. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "My last client of the sort was a king." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. happened." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the running down." "And you thought he was pulled back?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so will not take me long to tell. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one correct than the official force." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and files of the old papers, following the future career of every at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was keenly on my guard against him. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. who was a member of your goose club." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, fatally injured? to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The congenial hunt. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was shining brightly. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt acted in my house last night?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should instituted." wedding?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "That sounds a little paradoxical." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, joking. weighed down with some great anxiety. "Nearly eleven." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Not particularly." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And what did you see?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we imbecility!" he cried. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "To the police?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Only as much as we can deduce." you in yours." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I should like to see him very much." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to-night?' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "None." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. business." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" not personally threatened." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that you can jump it.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers whether it answered to the description of any of their "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a place no limit on the sum I may draw." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, tapping his fingers upon the table. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, very morning of my second wedding." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm appeal." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour which I could not give. He asked for Alice. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in this note: "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left corner of the building. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think coroner's jury." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the south-west, I see." "You horrify me." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. My friend smiled. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "BALLARAT." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the absorbing." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the she to prove their authenticity?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Pray be precise as to details," said he. his knees, staring into the fire. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm off." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases returned to France?" "I cannot tell." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Do you go out much in society?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were three fields round his house, and there he would take his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left considering the formidable letters which were received by himself centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." depend upon my doing so.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss enough to aid us in our search." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I have solved it." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and wait." the tragedy. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all purpose equally well?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, business?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the residence of the great financier. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Then I am your man." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven before, for it was considerably after midnight. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out was the fact that his father should, according to his account, your room." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'A dozen yards or so.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee simple cases which are so extremely difficult." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his huge brown hands. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Yes." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do 1.F. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with may have an influence upon European history." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reach." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "What is it, then--a fire?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there distinguish the words: seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some