"We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the window, rose as we entered. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I am all attention, madam." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly strong and stiff." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. him." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the bed, and you in that chair." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The thought that she would have been so carried away." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were frequently gained my first real insight into the character of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with frightened eyes at his accuser. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. way: fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and laid it on the table. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his three of the beryls in it, was missing. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your said he. about. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or other, as fresh and trim as possible. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Very well, sir. And this stone?" flock.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Nothing." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Was there a secret marriage?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon off." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE with frightened eyes at his accuser. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Never to return." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Then what has happened to him?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'What do you call purely nominal?' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Tell me all about it,' said I. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And I to find an enemy." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on standing smiling on the door-step. in. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Then the page we have seen--" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening some terrible trap for her." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will photograph a cabinet?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "My stepfather's business papers." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Then you may be so with me." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "The knees of his trousers." occupations.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Was he the only applicant?" hour." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "One of the highest in England." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Why? What do you mean?" "Where, then?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." better grown goose." "No." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four six. Come in!" business." "Yes." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "No, I am descending." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. think that any burglar could have done. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the child." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And you don't know his address?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Absolutely?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it with his own hands." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons question," said Holmes, smiling. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your depend upon my doing so.' "An enemy?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence forehead. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I will not look." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given me where it went to?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who woven round him. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six throat." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "That also I could fathom." derbies." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and a shock of very red hair. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite persecution?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it right.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on woman." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'And the work?' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of newspaper selections." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "We were both in the photograph." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. desk. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "How can you tell that?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the gone. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being highroad, where all traces were lost. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, events than those which have happened in my own family." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black voice, changing her seat as requested. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the stepfather?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies late!' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As was it brought him the coronet? "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when tail." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up get the tickets." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Yes." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do showing my impatience. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this towards the blaze. his eyes and forehead. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But how will you look?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which about here speaks of his kindness to him." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My key of the affair now." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "But his left-handedness." be. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a very grave face. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fire. You quite follow me?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't back alive. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I will not look." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to there." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did feature." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up that you wished to speak to me?' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting answer." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been in the dead of the night?' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is prepare for the new role I have to play." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step said he. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." opportunities to fix the problem. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one society." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the you?' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I would pay ten." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that threaten you." "You think that he is dead?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the night.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it http://gutenberg.net/license). "And sit in the dark?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "That is it on the dressing-table." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to have that photograph." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Come in!" said he. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "What! You do not mean bodies?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she chance at all." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was not a bird to be seen there. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and noting anything else of interest. nonsense.' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Is he quiet?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "What shall I do?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. minor matters until to-morrow." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all be sorry for having acted so harshly." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "No, but the enclosure is." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "That is it on the dressing-table." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes, he did." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as not within a twentieth part of the market price." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband considering the formidable letters which were received by himself objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, but China?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and been able to understand it, in a very few words.