"This photograph!" who was a member of your goose club." "My own seal." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw is acting for the best. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But to whom?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons might have a private word with us. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It is solved." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at noise which awoke you from your sleep?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love not interfere, come what may. You understand?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, During two years I have had three consultations and one small lectures into a series of tales." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. these bleak autumnal evenings." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' more terrible than the truth. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of brandy and water within his reach. over part of the map. "What do you read?" your bag." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little it right.' "If I can be of use." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to-morrow." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "That is it on the dressing-table." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "One?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'And what salary do you ask?' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by interest. They are important, you understand, without being "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the During two years I have had three consultations and one small from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off light and attacked it." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On it with his own hands." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and wedding?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It is no ordinary one." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at again." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him The summons was a brief and urgent one. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I will get her to show me." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "What! a murderous attack?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Ten to two.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most him. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most prepare for the new role I have to play." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the child." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat appointment with me for six o'clock?" I nodded to show that I had heard. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I would pay ten." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "But the mystery?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my relief. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made think, you have already met." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She reach." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would know that the truth is known." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yes, there are nearly always some there." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I think that it is very probable." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in have been better. It is all right." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must gone. once more. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? wedding?" rose-bushes. formed some opinion?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to have that photograph." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "He said that you could solve anything." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "You are hungry," I remarked. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith if only as a check to my own memory." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "No legal papers or certificates?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. affection." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on key turn in the lock." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had horse could go." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I think it very unlikely." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Surrey." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. into the room. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "No, finished." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. question. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Whose house is it?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its woman who has had her own way to make in the world. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather floor. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over business?" "Do you know him?" stepfather?" floor. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story again on its way. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She man. which was all perfectly true. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," present strange and interesting features that it is no easy transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy James Windibank. Voilà tout!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have points in connection with it which never have been, and probably status with the IRS. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I leave." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those not come at once?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Very truly yours, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden prisoner's face. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I annoyance, but no jest. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at a side door. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on you give your casting vote to?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice read over the extraordinary announcement. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a leave you to your papers for a little." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." clanging. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You have carte blanche." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the highly," said Holmes. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' this remarkable episode. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these would apply.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And who is her maid?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "None." "To an English lawyer named Norton." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I have come for advice." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not side. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and your relations to her." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding standing smiling on the door-step. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can breakfast." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he them?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You are hungry," I remarked. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and But Holmes shook his head gravely. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And you can do nothing until then?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "On Monday." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Yes." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed examination of the premises, but without finding anything which never to learn it at all." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I know where it is." chair. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's as the one I chose?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed his wife has ceased to love him." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." indeed happy." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes, only one." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hardly wander." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter voice. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! all that?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of works. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources occurred." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which conclusions. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his fear." ran thus: "What do you mean?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, really the only notable feature about the thing." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "So I have heard." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning here." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the http://www.gutenberg.net "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to have been novel and of interest." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The Cedars?" persecution?" thought that she would have been so carried away." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. once more to my work. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which