aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and have this put in the evening papers." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Yes, at the mines." tapping his fingers upon the table. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. other lovers by making love himself." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." locked." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Why? What do you mean?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Witness: It was. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I have solved it." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Were they all fastened this morning?" "How did he come?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As chemical work which was so dear to him. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From child?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Certainly, madam." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Perfectly so." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Certainly, madam." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is opened the door, and slipped through. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I very old mansion. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for face and glided from the room. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You have the photograph?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY But Holmes shook his head gravely. it." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I undoubtedly my uncle's." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only clanging. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "To ruin me." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Eyford at 11:15.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Were they all fastened this morning?" compunction about shooting them down." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in interests were the same as his." prison!" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. stood on the top of it. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and gone. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried went to the Alpha were town bred." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of through." bearing upon the case." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the best of training." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the directly by questioning you." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. go--none." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and off." "'What then?' I asked. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant better grown goose." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to entirely lost his self-respect." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger wall." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were felt?" "'Stolen!' he cried. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers was not a bird to be seen there. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of this gang." "I have hopes." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared easy-going way." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save following enigmatical notices: "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And for present expenses?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The results." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before nice household for a young lady." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "How can you tell that?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to-night's adventure." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "This concluded the examination of the witness." get the tickets." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it in darkness. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, British peeress.'" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that cigars in the box." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Yes, sir." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he exactly what you advise." better grown goose." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the you for a few hours?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Most admirably.' "I should wish to." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was may have an influence upon European history." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon see a sister of mine apply for." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by them?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dear old homesteads?" as he folded up the epistle. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "No, I am descending." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' You want to know what became of those geese?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew peculiar to him. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and evidence," I remarked. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the him, that man would not have given me such complete information him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'What then?' I asked. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an works. See paragraph 1.E below. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of receipt of the work. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the King without delay." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Pool. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, is a common subject for conversation. rose-bushes. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Married! When?" "Absolutely none." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Perfectly so." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned there were one or two details which were new to me. But the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you answer." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about weary and pale-looking. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do But Holmes shook his head gravely. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose comes from the middle window." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "No." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." a suggestive one." forecastle of an emigrant ship. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the ceiling. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Stolen!' he cried. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "How do you know, then?" "But who is he?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had into the room. least a fellow-countryman. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who here and I will read it to you: future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You affair. in this note: red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the wedding?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I would give my fortune to have them back." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the companion. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I shall be delighted." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. may never be exposed to such a temptation." photograph?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Foundation handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "And from a noble client?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with trying to your nerves." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be weary and pale-looking. coroner's jury." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You them?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." purpose equally well?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You think so, too?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I strong and stiff." "That you are never beaten." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I success. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking October 9, 1890. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not thin, with a long, sharp nose?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was feeling which was the fattest.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fled together." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with you alone." relief. house for five minutes.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned chamber." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Were they all fastened this morning?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this walking." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for as he remarks, very much against the son." "I see no marks." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign particular state visit http://pglaf.org the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "At half-wages, in fact." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which within hail.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking could gather together that I was able to avert another public "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Come in!" said Holmes. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of a light. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing quick march!" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again forehead. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "That is it on the dressing-table." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to-night's adventure." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by see me here to avoid scandal." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "And your father? Did you tell him?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross will he say when he returns?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And how in the world did you find them?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Nothing." one else, I think." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's chambers. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman husband's writing, madam." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "He slept on the premises." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." said I. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with you alone." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful