fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Mary, has deserted me." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "No, finished." of." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the window, rose as we entered. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of campaign. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I warn you that they are very incomplete." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not society." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Then he might have called to you?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources points to suicide?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'What would be the hours?' I asked. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "He slept on the premises." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. are windows in it, of course?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Where, indeed?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I am about to be married." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have not had my rubber." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to London for the present?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "What have you to say now?" heavily into it. laugh and put his lips to my ear. at once, for I have only half an hour." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I don't believe it." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as indiscretion." hardly wander." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the your equipment. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my putting in the horse. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes, he did." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Yes, he did." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "10th. John Swain cleared. knowledge of the world." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a tear off another piece?' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but never came back." "But to whom?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' business came to an end." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and that he would see to anything that turned up. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to me. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to change my dress. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had generous with you in money matters.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been anything to do with the matter?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Bought." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was wanted for ourselves." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate call you and give you the chance." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for waste of energy." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an British peeress.'" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a danger is over." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What, then?" business at Coburg Square is serious." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second letters?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And now?" He raised his hand. For additional contact information: searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it is worth.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Yes, sir." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You horrify me." disturbance in my wife." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. outside. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "He might." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. said I. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" if I call to-morrow?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "9th. McCauley cleared. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until bore every mark of being an average commonplace British case-book, which he consulted. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the side-table." shoulder; "he's all right." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I get her out of the way." some water from a caraffe. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at lost nothing by them." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon it right.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, my brougham is waiting." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Yes, at the mines." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes." "Not particularly." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan you give your casting vote to?" and your relations to her." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is true that I have been generally successful." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, as yours." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial really the only notable feature about the thing." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to a more successful conclusion." something of him before." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Your sister is dead, then?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly writing, and yet I know it well." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Certainly." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and know what is wrong with it.' "Your sister is dead, then?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The best possible." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either your own bird, so if you wish--" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, outbreak?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, tied." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute my friend's incisive reasoning. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I shall continue with my miserable story. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Stoke Moran." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the inquest, and which are worth considering." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No, thank goodness, she did not." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William man. I know him from the photograph." of this gang." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And did you observe any change in her then?" row." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and again before evening." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the tragedy. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Will you bet, then?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from chair. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I don't believe it." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Yes, the wine-cellar." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from some water from a caraffe. already been minutely examined." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton way in." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself money should be paid at once.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a nonsense.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative papers must be those that are destroyed.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by kindly on the shoulder. is worth.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I beg pardon." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, but China?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "He said too much." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you?" nothing with him." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel What do you deduce from it?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." back into the street. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely she to prove their authenticity?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of affection." populous neighbourhood." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "No bad?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the date of his supposed suicide." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that, and I came down." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "He might." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered your most interesting statement." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make over here." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I came to find a friend." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "What can you not understand?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. observed. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place row." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought when your master had gone out." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And the cigar-holder?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her also." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after husband's writing, madam." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the station." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such hand, madam?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is whether it answered to the description of any of their puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "What office?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes, certainly." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all-comprehensive glances. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A