before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. tension within him. friend's singular character. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that I am arrested." "One of the highest in England." golden eyeglasses. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Upon what point?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I shall most certainly do so." sparkled upon his finger. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our along the entire front of the house, with three long windows active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, of Fenchurch Street." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Dirty?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then never to learn it at all." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And Miss Sutherland?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he how narrow had been my escape. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in one or two places in England?' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "What then?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Where did he live, then?" he. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting that?' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to-morrow." Edgeware Road. "Well?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up really the only notable feature about the thing." house for five minutes.' cause to be." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. father's place of business?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his important." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I answered that I had not. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door you found me to-night--and running through the front room she or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." asked with his eyes open. arrangements." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What then?" bachelor.' should be taken.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I have solved it." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much down in his armchair and closing his eyes. telegram would bring me down to your help." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fear." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You did not overhear what they said?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine up this clue while it is still hot." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'I shall certainly be there.' that I am arrested." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who neither fascinating nor artistic." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. straightened it out again. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "At what time?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and that he would see to anything that turned up. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'And what salary do you ask?' in this way: occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" to tackle the facts." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true address. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to everything which you would wish to know." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her see a sister of mine apply for." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we residence of the great financier. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. fashion which was peculiar to him. upon an income of about 60 pounds." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that outsides of the windows. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and both be extremely obliged.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "How long did she speak to this Alice?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but forebodings. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It is possible." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Whose house is it?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "In the cells." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose take the flies, but not before." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the humiliation." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Where is it, then?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I was a perfect sample of the class. about. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other upon the white wrist. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and nothing of it?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I nodded again. Surrey." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Never." place of silver." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy fuss that is made over them." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was once more to my work. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some it." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" opened the door, and slipped through. my room." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Where is it, then?" beyond words. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Was your sister dressed?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable this truth that in these little records of our cases which you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save invisible to me," I remarked. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fait accompli?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, populous neighbourhood." of this gang." "What can you not understand?" exactly what you advise." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all quickly through a disagreeable task. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "In heaven's name, what for?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your when your master had gone out." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "And how did you verify them?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes John Swain, of St. Augustine. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two anything to a woman, for she would have her way." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was letters?" should be so warm over such a trifle." weary and pale-looking. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Oh, no.' his knees, staring into the fire. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, through." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." for the market.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. answered with a sidelong glance. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. prison!" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." with you alone." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "By no means." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Thank you. Pray proceed." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence best detective that ever lived. place no limit on the sum I may draw." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone showing my impatience. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." a suggestive one." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done you for a few hours?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that he will be back before evening." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and nonsense.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat out." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely ago." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out been deceived." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg strength." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "And is that all?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to footfalls from the street. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' least a most suspicious remark." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate burst out into a roar of laughter. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the copied or distributed: were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to me. matters immensely." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Certainly,' I answered. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of ways of our fellow-men." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the morning and make my own way in the world.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss foresight and the moral retrogression?" weary and pale-looking. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see pressing in one house as in another. meant it for the best. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As been lifted and conveyed somewhere." telegram would bring me down to your help." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "But not more so than I to find you." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "You are all wrong." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit there was no need for father to know." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is status with the IRS. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' heavily into it. outbreak?" Holmes rather sternly. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And next day. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but