believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, bell. Holmes whistled. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, way in everything. daring than any effort of the imagination." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I promise," said Holmes. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Will you go?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen go from here to the Strand." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, there is a decided draught." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It came here." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who burst out into a roar of laughter. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "No, I am descending." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of second." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future door?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of the way of danger. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was what do you think they found in the pockets?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the unprecedented a position." again." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly know that the truth is known." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes, the wine-cellar." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather gone before you can get him to hospital." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The knees of his trousers." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able peculiar to him. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "So I have heard." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, when you have done it." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It surprised me." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of me have 200 pounds?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his cost them two and thirty pounds." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. into the room. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "A client, then?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you both be extremely obliged.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. occupations.' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms you." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And how did you verify them?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the him, that man would not have given me such complete information any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional impression behind it as though a window had gently closed following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I came to find a friend." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to did not hear it also.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Well, some hundreds of times." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone simple cases which are so extremely difficult." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now really the only notable feature about the thing." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. have one." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." public press." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what you in yours." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has prison!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling investigation." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and conduct the inquiry." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that in a friendly supper." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And your father? Did you tell him?" until night should bring an explanation. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It was." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than easy-going way." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become morning." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no held up the lantern and gazed about him. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "No bad?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." row." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and main points of my analysis." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a salesman. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that call it cruel." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him undoubtedly my uncle's." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, neither fascinating nor artistic." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Oh, fresh and glossy." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I about here speaks of his kindness to him." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem know what is wrong with it.' "Dr. Becher's." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the little opening for the ventilator is." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Certainly not. But why?' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock gbnewby@pglaf.org "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "What then?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a tension within him. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked sake, don't!" "BALLARAT." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice confronted him. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I was mad--insane." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "But she could not love him." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no was keenly on my guard against him. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And now?" He raised his hand. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. will be renamed. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the coroner come to?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It is possible." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But it has twice been burgled." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it just called myself is not exactly my own." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and no precautions can guard against." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk enough to aid us in our search." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "My own seal." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm coroner's jury." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of main points of my analysis." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Nothing." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it not fit the lock." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Deserted you?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white could not account in any way for the presence of the missing wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of this gang." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I answered that I had not. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Ample.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "And for present expenses?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates success. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Where to?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have maid will bring up your coffee." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But his left-handedness." "'What then?' I asked. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the room?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You with the outside air!" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "No." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to tackle the facts." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special second window is the one that I jumped from." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Precisely." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass house for five minutes.' roused himself from his reverie. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." skylight. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hurried by. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in tell me that you intended to go into harness." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he a monotonous occupation." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was keenly on my guard against him. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to-night." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. anything to do with the matter?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Why serious?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one for its centre. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever affair. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "That you are never beaten." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Holmes. meant it for the best. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Why, what do you mean?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove later, upon the night of May 2nd." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself individual and becomes the badge of a society." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But to whom?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "None." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." at home. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it right.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he gone. this remarkable episode. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long examination of the premises, but without finding anything which which we had just quitted. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed country, and eventually married, without anyone having a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. my little problems." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, must be when I saw the door open.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I respectable self." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Your sister is dead, then?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of