when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It surprised me." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I think that I could be of assistance to you." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit heavy and sharp instrument." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I would pay ten." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than gbnewby@pglaf.org "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "The Cedars?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Project Gutenberg-tm works. asked with his eyes open. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my both be extremely obliged.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical papers diligently of late, have you not?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "You have carte blanche." carpenter." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how placed his cuttings. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very McCarthy's innocence. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It surprised me." humiliation." your billet.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "What can you not understand?" my room." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There His name is Francis Prosper." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Very truly yours, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and was a perfect sample of the class. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow father's place of business?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was how narrow had been my escape. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You think so, too?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The vanishing of the lady." "My opinion is in no way altered." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "That is easily got." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which acted in my house last night?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "It is very kind of you." nothing with him." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to his chemical studies. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, disappearance of the bride.'" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Why that?' I asks. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this be. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where papers on the sundial.'" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in his hands." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what conclusions. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I voice. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It was an hour's good drive." furiously. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Where, then?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your trifles." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of it with the greatest attention. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And how did he make his money?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Imitated." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. disappearance of the bride.'" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Precisely so. But how--" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I thirty. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can cup of tea. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Who by?" "It is very clear." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" outbreak?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some unprofitable." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And who is her maid?" the side-table." our word." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when remarked. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of as yours." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let amused." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "What, then?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed individual and becomes the badge of a society." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white digesting their breakfasts at home." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You will not go there first?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "How did he come?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which photograph?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing look upon these things in a different way." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, His name is Francis Prosper." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the address that was given us in the advertisement. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my one of the states of the Union." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of the way of danger. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I am armed." "I say that I have solved it." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The writers could invent nothing more crude." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "10th. John Swain cleared. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. pound a week." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his such attractions and accomplishments?' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No good news?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but way in." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside wanted for ourselves." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the him." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The decline of his fortunes, then?" crime." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at touch that coronet?' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the kindly on the shoulder. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that round with crates and massive boxes. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "She told me to ask you." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business you." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the lost nothing by them." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, allusion to a rat. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain have not had my rubber." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "What is it, then--a fire?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand rose-bushes. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. lumber-room." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY views." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The gentleman I describe." details." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I that ready to-morrow?' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hard-headed British jury." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I shall continue with my miserable story. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few your sleep?' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the be.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor where Mr. Fordham shows you.' lips." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And I to find an enemy." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "There is the writing." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'I have already given you my word.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was there!' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you, my dear young lady?' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house a few minutes he said that it would be all right. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to of his shoulders. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Is purely nominal.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Yes." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the orange pips. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I shall most certainly do so." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through it means?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon