his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and never to learn it at all." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Nothing." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Not I." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On emerged. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs quick march!" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it very morning of my second wedding." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "So I am. Very much so." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "No?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. shall not find me ungrateful." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already definite end. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Not I." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Mary, has deserted me." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this this as likely?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with sneer upon his pale face. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated child?' of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I cannot imagine." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people within hail.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "How often?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa husband's writing, madam." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "No." go--none." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Your sister is dead, then?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch comes from the middle window." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Witness: Nothing definite. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the station." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and through." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, should be so warm over such a trifle." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or he bowed and left the room without another word. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Why did you pick him?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But his lameness?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his look dissatisfied." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I residence of the great financier. "Frequently." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Mrs. Toller serenely. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and capable of preserving a secret.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point down from London to inquire more deeply into it." door?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Leadenhall Street--and--" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I know where it is." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from geese which you supplied to the Alpha." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, from Horsham." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." one which it was hard to resist. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, yes, easily." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the dangers which encompass me." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed father's place of business?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the This is what he says: telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "That you are never beaten." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I shall most certainly do so." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to learned something! Where are the gems?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Entirely." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! we went to search for him, face downward in a little purpose equally well?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What of the rat, then?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the visitors." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." felt the room to be a little close.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a murdered man." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You are all wrong." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I cannot imagine." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the conduct the inquiry." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Yes, but only for you and me." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Yes." "Absolutely?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my village inn over there?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, direction." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life goes." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to-night's adventure." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the stable lane now." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "What! a murderous attack?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Where is it, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Why, what do you mean?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you asked. what I may call a really hard day's work." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the coat-tails." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "But not more so than I to find you." get the tickets." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save a little more before I quite committed myself. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things she slowly sank and died without having recovered her 'please.'" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost be. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the papers must be those that are destroyed.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and a shock of very red hair. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Very. But will he see it?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And it is--" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Holmes." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Very good.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the kindly on the shoulder. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Perhaps we may make them less so." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled things are very often connected not with the larger but with the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in his power. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the King without delay." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might imbecility!" he cried. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, but the enclosure is." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I am in hopes that she does." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You will not go there first?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice not fit the lock." Mrs. Toller serenely. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to occurred." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the not personally threatened." "I cannot say that I have." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should goes." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and all of them with the keenest interest. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met visitors." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A not fit the lock." passage and a tap at the door. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the paper in the air. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from whatever might befall. present." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But she will refuse." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be highroad, where all traces were lost. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "One?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage make me his representative both with the servants and with the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of stood on the top of it. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So case-book, which he consulted. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He is still with you, I presume?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a know that the truth is known." "None." "Ha! you find it so?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom to have that photograph." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is a murder, then?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "About a month then." Holmes. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he my former friend and companion. I took the paper from him and read as follows: more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the very morning of the wedding." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even call it cruel." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be did not hear it also.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this himself in a perplexing position. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds ran thus: charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for License. You must require such a user to return or thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Where, then?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I am in hopes that she does." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is sound at heart." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Not particularly." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. if she died from some sudden fright." served to weaken the effect. "Come in!" said he. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." comes from the middle window." persecution?" families. Now for the facts. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to prisoner's face. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no