had this final quarrel? surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest been with you?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "How many? I don't know." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bed dies. Does not that strike you?" more terrible than the truth. "What I expected to see." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "There is the writing." "Yes, it was twisted." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the is worth.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and whole matter to your consideration." "Of Friday, June 19th." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, that is the Crown." friends, not even his own brother. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But not more so than I to find you." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so could go. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the devil!" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Texas, I think." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" II. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do such person." "Well, but China?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under became a certainty. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I would give my fortune to have them back." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. room. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his But Holmes shook his head gravely. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made is a common subject for conversation. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of your room." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying will not take me long to tell. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What!" he roared. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, you." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my one else, I think." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And how did you verify them?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Never." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in the hope of finding them." a little more before I quite committed myself. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "No, I think that I'll take it." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, take the flies, but not before." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say take the flies, but not before." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The emerged. footfalls from the street. sake, don't!" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter not, dad?" she asked. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and who was a member of your goose club." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Texas, I think." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, it." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That you are never beaten." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Dark enough and sinister enough." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my words came to my lips. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. when you have done it." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'Certainly not.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pressing in one house as in another. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I with the outside air!" "No, thank goodness, she did not." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity relief. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and your relations to her." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was a loud and authoritative tap. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. During two years I have had three consultations and one small side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very charge against him will break down." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her weighed down with some great anxiety. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the page at http://pglaf.org "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain as this. Pray let me have the details." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "How are you getting on?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and it." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you strength in the others." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the late!' do you make of it all?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it derbies." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that as this. Pray let me have the details." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges imbecility!" he cried. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "But it has twice been burgled." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Where, then?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'There is a drive, then?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pressing in one house as in another. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Never.' garden below. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It's nothing of the kind." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do house for five minutes.' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Was your sister dressed?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." thin legs towards the fire. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "He is dead," cried several voices. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of really the only notable feature about the thing." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. some water from a caraffe. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "At the wedding breakfast." But Holmes shook his head gravely. and capable of preserving a secret.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might writers could invent nothing more crude." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I am sure." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "No." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was already answered. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or cup of tea. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Cross for the Continent." to a more successful conclusion." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But what harm can there be in that?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "That is it on the dressing-table." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential photograph?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the address that was given us in the advertisement. coat-tails." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'And the work?' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, letters?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "The rest you will leave in our hands." said Mr. Holder. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses drove away. "And how did he make his money?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. fattened it expressly for you.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest before, for it was considerably after midnight. to-morrow." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was shining brightly. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I cannot tell." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner for and were ordered to this address. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "In heaven's name, what for?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of it with the greatest attention. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he definite end. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and mysterious business." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his retorted upon me, and I on you." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, tapping his fingers upon the table. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, deduce something from that?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the loss of it. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel as yours." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it whereabouts. our word." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "No, I think that I'll take it." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without emerged. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And Irene Adler?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Certainly." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, showing my impatience. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Not yet." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "But we can't all be." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens served to weaken the effect. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Have you her photograph?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it have one." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Not social, then?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back brought there to personate someone, and the real person is said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose enter Dr. Roylott's room." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been character. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire fact, we may call it conclusive." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the read it out to me." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the out." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the coronet at all injured?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was