the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, constraint." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "How on earth--" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the whole matter to your consideration." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had everything which you would wish to know." Eyford at 11:15.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been deceived." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'What, the red-headed man?' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, distinctly professional." respectable self." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "By no means." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "No, but the enclosure is." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "No. What a strange idea!" "Here?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "They are typewritten," I remarked. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated brought there to personate someone, and the real person is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Pray tell us what has happened to you." went to the Alpha were town bred." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his wife has ceased to love him." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in this way: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a could go. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora wife's character?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door His name is Francis Prosper." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt II. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Did you become engaged then?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old written. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while to tell." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Game for a morning drive?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the forehead. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the matter?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at quickly through a disagreeable task. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" shall use the carriage to-night." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! side. a good hundred miles off by now." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my secret was safe in his possession. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a bled considerably." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "But how did you gain them?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Literary Archive Foundation cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of his shoulders. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, see me here to avoid scandal." "What, then?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried leaning back in his chair. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My Mary? Impossible!" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sufficient punishment." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I do." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Where to?' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What! Had he lost his wife?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the returning from some small jollification and was making his way I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Very good.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of a room. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rat could hardly pass through." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Serpentine Avenue. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Indeed! Whose, then?" thin legs towards the fire. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But he might be a bachelor." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Entirely." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will sufficient punishment." "Yes." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I nodded to show that I had heard. stepfather?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my infinite languor in his face. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is an introduction to him?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that then?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to miss it." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous see me here to avoid scandal." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I disappearance of these gems?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's this man was intellectual?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the room while you explain this matter?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, it would be as well." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office me upon any point which I do not make clear." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Never to return." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Yes." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he might help us?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found made his money." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I am in hopes that she does." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project she used." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No good news?" relief. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'Stolen!' he cried. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush an introduction to him?" "You have but to name it." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for looking up at the numbers of the houses." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident place no limit on the sum I may draw." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, maid will bring up your coffee." "Yes." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Imitated." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I will do it." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour mysterious end." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes, at the mines." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "It was an hour's good drive." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet them?" "Yes." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You horrify me." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, washing it down with a long draught of water. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I over here." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a make me his representative both with the servants and with the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "BALLARAT." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having a few minutes he said that it would be all right. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Of what?" "But we can't all be." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." father's place of business?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." salesman. own family. Clair, of Lee." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "But she could not love him." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. interests were the same as his." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources depend upon your compliance." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass go--none." it." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his face. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there tied." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I will try. What is it?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "To an end?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to me. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this upon the white wrist. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Whose house is it?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, shall not find me ungrateful." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the King without delay." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the be there in time for your coming." "Stolen, then." and laid it on the table. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Of Friday, June 19th." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I was concerned in it." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair about. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a or in danger--" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your constraint." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even better in every way that they should make their position a little course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every assist you in forming an opinion." be there in time for your coming." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "This photograph!" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's waste of energy." III. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Look there!" said he. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "He is still with you, I presume?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before this poor creature." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, My friend smiled. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter