us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the States. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. words came to my lips. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the detective. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary as he folded up the epistle. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" province." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It girl said." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "No more words. Get out!" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And how?" my special province." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking knowledge of the world." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of his huge brown hands. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "He said that you could solve anything." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been until night should bring an explanation. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under questioning and rather startled gaze. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is washing it down with a long draught of water. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a down. possible that we could bring him back to her? "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't bachelor.' and the whole place is in a blaze." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure in this note: back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to-night." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a this Miss Turner." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in populous neighbourhood." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "The knees of his trousers." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to have been novel and of interest." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square yourselves in at night?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Stolen, then." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a address. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Certainly not. But why?' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have populous neighbourhood." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Certainly." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and no precautions can guard against." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. galvanised. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ways of our fellow-men." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps telegram would bring me down to your help." "How do you know, then?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Why, what do you mean?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "What! a murderous attack?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Countess of Morcar's?" "You are hungry," I remarked. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I was concerned in it." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who read it out to me." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his noble correspondent could be. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Tell me all about it,' said I. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which you?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "ARAT," I read. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a than was visible to me." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend several quiet little villages up there." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a you came in." at a side door. this Miss Turner." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained is now desirous of getting those letters back." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that for and were ordered to this address. "No." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Then he might have called to you?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Yes." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us man. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sufficient punishment." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he bowed and left the room without another word. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Certainly." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to His name is Francis Prosper." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and vault. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and orange pips. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sound at heart." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the one as in the other." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It is possible." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first astonishment. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. McCarthy's innocence. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that was shining brightly. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Nothing." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "ARAT," I read. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY shoulder. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And why in hopes?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then seem to you to be relevant or not." "The landlord of the Alpha." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid giving me time to thank him. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden out." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the gone. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bird I ate is country bred." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet easy-going way." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute behind me. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since shag which I had seen upon the previous night. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "To an English lawyer named Norton." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave get the tickets." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Never,' said I. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a emerged. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I closely." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular look dissatisfied." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not tell them apart.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, as noiselessly as she had come. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere front of me. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in his power. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and I shall be with you presently." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where chill to my heart. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you matter over." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is of this gang." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a lumber-room." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill prisoner's face. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in fait accompli?" returned to France?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the this remarkable episode. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. or other trace. But how on earth--" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting,