fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I don't believe it." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I promise," said Holmes. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it means?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, It may be so in this case, also." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "No, distinctly professional." "I have a cab outside." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have married her." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted breakfast and whispered something to her husband. chemical work which was so dear to him. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Nothing?" went to the Alpha were town bred." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were one of the states of the Union." "He is dead," cried several voices. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And how have you succeeded?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." with you alone." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her about here speaks of his kindness to him." "No legal papers or certificates?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. plantation.' secret." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But not more so than I to find you." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, highly," said Holmes. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You horrify me!" back into the street. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Just look it up, then." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Your sister is dead, then?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sooner or later she must fall a victim. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'How far from the body?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said simple cases which are so extremely difficult." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with second window is the one that I jumped from." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was know what is wrong with it.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "It is possible." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he for and were ordered to this address. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery really the only notable feature about the thing." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I have it here in my museum." "Who by?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is no ordinary one." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In this remarkable episode. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right you." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wedding?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the night.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his fasten all the windows?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your narrative." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Have you her photograph?" "He said that you could solve anything." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden yards of it?' "A client, then?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning with frightened eyes at his accuser. she to prove their authenticity?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in time." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up considering the formidable letters which were received by himself traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ran thus: months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "What! You do not mean bodies?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive mystery." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Well." had picked up in the wood. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a he died? to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we IS Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Here?" father's place of business?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "By no means." "On your arm?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very daring than any effort of the imagination." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Did you observe the colour?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away chair. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we question," said Holmes, smiling. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a public press." McCarthy's innocence. where we are going." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the http://gutenberg.net/license). the running down." "And Irene Adler?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the warnings." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more coroner's jury." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, not come at once?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wife's character?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "No, finished." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and the whole place is in a blaze." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little something of him before." "How often?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Have you her photograph?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on promised to bring home. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up grasp, he hurried from the room. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began how narrow had been my escape. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom introspective fashion. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But she could not love him." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "To ruin me." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular The police have openly confessed that they can at present make father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'I shall certainly be there.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And sit in the dark?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Why? What do you mean?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious any." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the long narrative. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to himself to tell his story. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in this note: my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I cannot tell." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Thank you. And your address?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It was." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very vanished into the darkness. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has rat could hardly pass through." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very gigantic client. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You have a clue?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an maid will bring up your coffee." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Precisely." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what their singular warning or token before them when starting upon points in connection with it which never have been, and probably tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, official police." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to Leatherhead. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." train.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "That is not always so easy." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Quite so. She has her freedom." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." The events in question occurred in the early days of my shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from derbies." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from you?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who until night should bring an explanation. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders main points of my analysis." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Did you become engaged then?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.