man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Get out!" said he. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I undoubtedly my uncle's." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then the page we have seen--" "But you can know nothing of this?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own McCarthy." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. horse could go." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "You have the photograph?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose clang of the bell. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the get the tickets." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "9th. McCauley cleared. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring one of them." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I never have." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." did not hear it also.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All do you make of it all?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried congratulate you again." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to awkward doing business with an alias." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What steps will you take?" I asked. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "His face fell immediately. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. call it cruel." and laid it on the table. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, certainly." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the prisoner's face. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Watson," he said cordially. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I guessed as much." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune all?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and there is a decided draught." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' clang of the bell. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Where, indeed?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that business in the City. She little knew what. "Well, some hundreds of times." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went better in every way that they should make their position a little fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance extraordinary contortions. the driver. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "By all means." see me here to avoid scandal." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had room?" presented more singular features than that which was associated as he folded up the epistle. very old mansion. this poor creature." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of intrusion of other matters." to-night?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the some water from a caraffe. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had answered with a sidelong glance. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at I approached. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It's nothing of the kind." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune formed some opinion?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging about. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "My opinion is in no way altered." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a closely." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was nice household for a young lady." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of posted to-day." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, bedroom door." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as were wasted." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this congenial hunt. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots furiously. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "What can it mean?" I gasped. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all be best to do. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was chance at all." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining His name is Francis Prosper." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ago." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it results." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Stoke Moran." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But how?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And what did you learn from him?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in my life." have been better. It is all right." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this late." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." grasp, he hurried from the room. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project front of me. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I would pay ten." outbreak?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of villagers almost as much as their master. whereabouts. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But it has twice been burgled." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened had died away into the silence from which it rose. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Her father is very rich?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his direction." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a happened." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little following enigmatical notices: to some other building. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know *** START: FULL LICENSE *** wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly thought that she would have been so carried away." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who exactly what you advise." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "He disappeared so suddenly." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "9th. McCauley cleared. excitement. What do you deduce from it?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per not as remarkable as your advertisement." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of it with the greatest attention. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Texas, I think." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his make me his representative both with the servants and with the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his knees, staring into the fire. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You think that he is dead?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have not had my rubber." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of whether it answered to the description of any of their at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which purpose equally well?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom despair." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," some city in a dream. "And how in the world did you find them?" clanging. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is It may be so in this case, also." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "When did she vanish, then?" note?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and all of them with the keenest interest. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to that open window." returned to France?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "In answer to an advertisement." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Yes, all." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar one of the states of the Union." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited where she found matters as described by the last witness. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'What then?' I asked. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "The best possible." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I do." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Always." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his do.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But she will refuse." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him you came in." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" detained." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You are all wrong." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Then I am your man." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would