subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the child." wall." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a keep the flames under. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "How did you deduce the select?" "Thank you. And your address?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard is worth.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "None." to you." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an companion. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Here?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and better grown goose." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in the port of London." Street. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to arrive at through this?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the discontent upon his features. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Where to?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Where is it, then?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Just look it up, then." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, had a long day." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "But who is he?" crime." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Yes." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he such attractions and accomplishments?' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off him. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Nothing." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Watson," he said cordially. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole crackling voice. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew coroner's jury." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Bought." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. system of imprisonment?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Nothing." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Of what?" here and I will read it to you: reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Not social, then?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she question," said Holmes, smiling. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me she slowly sank and died without having recovered her hair?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'About the same.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Just look it up, then." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of your young ladies.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a face and glided from the room. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Game for a morning drive?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I envelope. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "He might." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I am all attention, madam." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't do.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my carried out of court." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend will take you up to see the machine.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "How did he come?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I think it very unlikely." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Imitated." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "By no means." heavy and sharp instrument." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most 1.E.9. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I have seen the police." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and said I. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted thirty. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed derbies." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." humiliation." "Yes." he. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Never,' said I. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out perplexity from it to my illustrious client. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out crackling voice. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter matter over." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I will not look." bears upon the case?" eat it." thin legs towards the fire. "Certainly." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the matter." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon anything to do with the matter?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and said I. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to hair?' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Proceed, then." him, that man would not have given me such complete information I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It is possible." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes, only one." help us in this matter." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his huge brown hands. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Yes, from Horsham." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I see many objections to any such theory." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it back to my heart. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Quite so. She has her freedom." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so for its centre. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some business." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a new duties?' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, chair. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings point our research must commence, and we will begin it by that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hair?' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And the cigar-holder?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fluttered off among the others. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Street. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." way in everything. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot tell." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "He disappeared so suddenly." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before again, where I was soon asleep. there." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "About a month then." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her delighted to hear it," he said. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, whatever might befall. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at nice household for a young lady." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Only as much as we can deduce." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. about. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, guilty one." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it might have a private word with us. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too address. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "No more words. Get out!" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Tired-looking or fresh?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her room. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I over part of the map. "What do you read?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would said he at last. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of unprecedented a position." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him written. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if never will be, entirely cleared up. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There existence." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of over with notes and figures. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his wife has ceased to love him." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and my special province." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Pray do so." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "How did you deduce the select?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting