"Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural to some other building. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not suddenly upon us." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice our word." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows you." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been she slowly sank and died without having recovered her thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'I have already given you my word.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and meanly of me." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "How can you tell that?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "My own seal." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My photograph." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Pray continue your narrative." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You have the photograph?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." if I call to-morrow?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The doctor?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to surprise her." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of fine shops and stately business premises that they really were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the very letters. But what is this written above them?' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to what I may call a really hard day's work." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was said he. that he has suffered." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with outside." "'There is a drive, then?' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Quite so." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But your client--" III. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "At what time?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. an introduction to him?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Witness: It was. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about hurried by. hair?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in copied or distributed: stood on the top of it. for the market.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up vague figure huddled up in the darkness. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Won't it ring?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "How do you know, then?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "So I have heard." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who himself to hunt down. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "No." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and the church but not where the lady lived." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and the colonel ushered me in. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the dangers which encompass me." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Married! When?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's think that he is innocent?" "I think it very unlikely." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the driver. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be not, dad?" she asked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Cross for the Continent." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "In which, sir?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" forehead. and laid it on the table. security.' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "How did you deduce the select?" upon the shelf for the interim." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But his left-handedness." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a I nodded to show that I had heard. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate not come at once?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or chamber." was it brought him the coronet? foot. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "It came here." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'There is a drive, then?' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Certainly,' I answered. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to with you alone." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their better grown goose." "Yes, sir." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow or in danger--" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One felt?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the room had already been engaged for us. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings hour." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "He said that you could solve anything." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the once more for Briony Lodge. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I purpose equally well?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Mary, has deserted me." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I approached. "I have seen the police." tell them apart.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were you." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I am armed." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the address that was given us in the advertisement. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not were wasted." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I approached. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "How about poison?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Watson," he said cordially. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their key of the affair now." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. redistribution. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt himself to hunt down. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" whatever might befall. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "The landlord of the Alpha." "I am following you closely," I answered. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And I." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at gentleman's clothes. Again Holmes raved in the air. the house with me." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as 'please.'" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the again before evening." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such License. You must require such a user to return or possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And on what day did he meet his death?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "In the cells." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we you want, then?' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, bell. Holmes whistled. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is never came back." go back?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will directors, with the result that you have seen." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling note?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The King of Scandinavia." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then you may be so with me." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, advice." might have a private word with us. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself key of the affair now." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But to whom?" than to us. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had died away into the silence from which it rose. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked important." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'And the work?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by note?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been My friend smiled. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Entirely." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the south-west, I see." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as you want, then?' was feeling which was the fattest.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered.