am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their once more to my work. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I cannot say that I have." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or served to weaken the effect. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's one of the states of the Union." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can heavy and sharp instrument." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger words came to my lips. "How about poison?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "What will you do, then?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "And how have you succeeded?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Was your sister dressed?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. sofa. This way, please!" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and so.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed awaited us upon the table. the King without delay." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a electronic works "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Who by?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I leave." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes has little to do with my story." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ago." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "No legal papers or certificates?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our matter." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem American. Then who could this American be, and why should he were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, character. "But you were on a friendly footing?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few companion. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover at once, for I have only half an hour." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock second window is the one that I jumped from." or in danger--" "Entirely." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled fait accompli?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few hardly wander." returned to France?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. envelope. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Thank you. And your address?" eavesdroppers?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so there." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "A confidential servant?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only just ask you whether you had heard it.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall colour had been driven from his face. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "And who is her maid?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. said I. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning upon a handsome competence. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Ample.' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of You want to know what became of those geese?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." second window is the one that I jumped from." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This derbies." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "At the wedding breakfast." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was despair." nonsense.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "The vanishing of the lady." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a character. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general believe that I should never have any practice at all. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I took the paper from him and read as follows: went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "At half-wages, in fact." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most you do it in twenty minutes!' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in my life." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Oh, the cause is excellent!" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads man. I know him from the photograph." "Very murderous indeed." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold few hundred pounds.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the way: "Pray be precise as to details," said he. voice, changing her seat as requested. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Not particularly." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pressing in one house as in another. answer." as yours." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Can I be of assistance?" to have been novel and of interest." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "But the mystery?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his so.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Yes, but only for you and me." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'I am sure that I do not know.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "None." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a then?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Yes, it was gone.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with I held the little printed slip to the light. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I His name is Francis Prosper." again on its way. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "But what harm can there be in that?" the so-precious time, but come!' believe that I should never have any practice at all. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No bad?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." his cane at the bell-pull. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Edgeware Road. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the station." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' been shamefully used." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "But his left-handedness." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Then what has happened to him?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Yes." "Not I." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major there!' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you indeed happy." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Of Friday, June 19th." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Not social, then?" "No." "About a month then." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Who by?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down begin with, and I had not got mine yet." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Stolen, then." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. like that before?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Certainly,' I answered. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I think that I could be of assistance to you." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection he bowed and left the room without another word. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Yes." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I new acquaintance to Baker Street. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "How on earth--" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Eh? What was that?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Ample." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the formed some opinion?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "How did that help you?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four DAMAGE. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation gone. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE showing my impatience. "No more words. Get out!" off." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Countess of Morcar's?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have less than 26s. 4d. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and