from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their points in connection with it which never have been, and probably his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I. of his shoulders. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It must be recovered." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! one of the states of the Union." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "No." "'Which dealer's?' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed be best to do. "That is unusual in a young girl." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Is he quiet?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And now?" He raised his hand. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, rose-bushes. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "This concluded the examination of the witness." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master letters?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. himself to hunt down. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." his knees, staring into the fire. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would before, for it was considerably after midnight. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some down. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled will not take me long to tell. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "No, finished." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle locked. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside forecastle of an emigrant ship. Eyford." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I am all attention, madam." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some system of imprisonment?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the him, that man would not have given me such complete information presented more singular features than that which was associated greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes, the wine-cellar." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man placed his cuttings. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I shall be delighted." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to examine." "It is true that I have been generally successful." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." works. lost nothing by them." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who DISSOLVED. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Why did you pick him?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, from you?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Married! When?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Yes." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "One of his hands." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the stable lane now." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked one's self under obligations.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, laugh and put his lips to my ear. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, husband's writing, madam." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." straighten it?" "But not more so than I to find you." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in a very precise fashion." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Entirely." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." you." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" derbies." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and she used." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Will you bet, then?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'And the work?' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to come either from the window or the door. My attention was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned served to weaken the effect. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "In answer to an advertisement." my special province." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I cannot say that I have." words came to my lips. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I would give my fortune to have them back." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But how?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you me." "Entirely." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation who was a member of your goose club." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles definite end. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the noble correspondent could be. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." morning." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to tapping his fingers upon the table. to change my dress. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "She walked into the breakfast-room." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Never,' said I. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the coroner come to?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in this way: "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "That is not always so easy." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Dirty?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to closing the door. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and straightened it out again. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of a light. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a envelope. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It looks newer than the other things?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you give your casting vote to?" II. way in everything. asked with his eyes open. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the late!' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me directly by questioning you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "No, I am descending." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at been." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to you." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I am armed." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I think that it is very probable." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "That's no good." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I me. You must get home instantly and act." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by once more to my work. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt village inn over there?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." before the coroner and the police-court." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as assist you in forming an opinion." must compliment you." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father such person." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of them has the shutters up.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, key turn in the lock." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in more terrible than the truth. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And why in hopes?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Lee, in the county of Kent." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." approach us with offers to donate. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly should be taken.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and for securing the situation." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other outbreak?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes' thin, eager face. "If I can be of use." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until you give your casting vote to?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Come in!" said he. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. despair." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a any more." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to pressing in one house as in another. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed passage and a tap at the door. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send your Highness to the police-station?" respectable self." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has lost nothing by them." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged."