part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Holmes." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' affection." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at present." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net following enigmatical notices: "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And leave your case unfinished?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would eavesdroppers?' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed to-night?" I asked. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I see no marks." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'What, the red-headed man?' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." undoubtedly my uncle's." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I your own bird, so if you wish--" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "The landlord of the Alpha." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I am still in the dark." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It may not come to that," said Holmes. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I will not look." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the is a common subject for conversation. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bird of prey. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he main points of my analysis." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the driver. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "BALLARAT." away to you." secret." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I say that I have solved it." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "What are they?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Precisely." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of joking. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Is purely nominal.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a for securing the situation." have been better. It is all right." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view case-book, which he consulted. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential is a common subject for conversation. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it strong and stiff." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what DISSOLVED. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we asked with his eyes open. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a nights." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "At what time?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and put his glass in his pocket. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bell. Holmes whistled. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "So it appears." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been dear old homesteads?" seen the man in the road." are windows in it, of course?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by this poor creature." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Ten to two.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became future lives." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the returning from some small jollification and was making his way tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second speckled band?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. occupations.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to careless servant girl?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "What then?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And how did you verify them?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "And your mother is alive?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes mystery!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked night.' said he. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made call the police, let the police find what they can.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I will do it." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my key of the affair now." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Yes, he did." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "But of what society?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "There is the writing." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "And now?" I asked. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "What have you to say now?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: things are very often connected not with the larger but with the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "My Mary? Impossible!" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "That also I could fathom." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The doctor?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly already referred to. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is notes," he said. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Perhaps I have." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an becomes even more simple." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. notes," he said. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are out." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Certainly,' I answered. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "My dear Holmes!" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Pope's Court, Fleet Street." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of one of the states of the Union." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Eh? What was that?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a purpose equally well?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the highroad, where all traces were lost. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may of." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to talk it over. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? colour had been driven from his face. sneer upon his pale face. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the station." cigars in the box." upon the sideboard." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Yes, it was gone.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "What of the rat, then?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really to have been novel and of interest." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, sir." to talk it over. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her at my remark. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Why, it's a dummy," said he. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the national property. I was determined that the law should have its eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. your sleep?' that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'There is a drive, then?' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and your relations to her." answer." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and the whole place is in a blaze." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "In heaven's name, what for?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It is solved." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man depend upon your compliance." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a meant it for the best. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and it need not interfere very much with one's other How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out himself in a perplexing position. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said quite distinctive." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it public press." off." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not soul! here is her carriage at the door." fasten all the windows?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The go back?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "One of the highest in England." following enigmatical notices: "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was woman." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found begin with, and I had not got mine yet." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is became a certainty. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were