all?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes." salesman. wedding?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "They are typewritten," I remarked. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he have accepted such a situation. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have hour?' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace bonnet, and went out." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the coronet in his hand?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary time." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "But it has twice been burgled." yards of it?' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the address that was given us in the advertisement. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high down. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this morning." "Yes, but only for you and me." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any not fit the lock." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of said he. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Your sister is dead, then?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always 1.F. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as enter Dr. Roylott's room." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Bought." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Very. But will he see it?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. meant." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have forecastle of an emigrant ship. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and the whole place is in a blaze." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "This concluded the examination of the witness." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. secret." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have clang of the bell. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the beg that you will break it off." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." would then never go into court at all." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this poor creature." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Certainly not.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were papers must be those that are destroyed.' congratulate you again." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I am sure." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than read it out to me." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and said I. Gutenberg-tm License. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What is it?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a without a word or a look. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have may never be exposed to such a temptation." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And I." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and effective." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And how have you succeeded?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, people don't know." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of prepare for the new role I have to play." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us *** START: FULL LICENSE *** every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall retorted upon me, and I on you." "In the cells." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the stable lane now." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone breakfast." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And on what day did he meet his death?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up there were so many in the whole country as were brought together beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the residence of the great financier. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. six. Come in!" Doctor, of the paper and the date." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered chance." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his husband's writing, madam." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any upon a handsome competence. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast more terrible than the truth. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Did your wife hear all this?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a indeed which he could not unravel. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should cigar and let me expound." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Then how many are there?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man carriage. It was a chestnut." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "So I am. Very much so." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I promise," said Holmes. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. girl said." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience directors, with the result that you have seen." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Where is it, then?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I shall be delighted." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of receipt of the work. Pope's Court. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And the cigar-holder?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain vague figure huddled up in the darkness. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to his chemical studies. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And sit in the dark?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not joking. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before your Highness to the police-station?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring it." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to up this clue while it is still hot." humiliation." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You are hungry," I remarked. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been skylight. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a would then never go into court at all." room. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Arthur Conan Doyle this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And for present expenses?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And your mother is alive?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Nearly eleven." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. tension within him. "I see no marks." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were shall not find me ungrateful." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told coat-tails." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable chance at all." noting anything else of interest. purpose equally well?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of as he remarks, very much against the son." quick march!" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was true." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Nothing?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain fishes. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Gutenberg-tm License. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his wife has ceased to love him." "What is it, then--a fire?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I nodded to show that I had heard. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to late!' maid will bring up your coffee." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout instincts rose up against that laugh. himself to tell his story. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious signal between you and your father? I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "In answer to an advertisement." "It is solved." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "To an English lawyer named Norton." minor matters until to-morrow." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are coroner's jury." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But you have hopes?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he her also." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very paper in the air. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the possible that we could bring him back to her? of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you came in." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the annoyance, but no jest. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in me where it went to?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And sit in the dark?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been you in your example." London for the present?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I think it very unlikely." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised would then never go into court at all." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers what is your own theory as to what took place?" constraint." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you for a few hours?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I strong and stiff." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger present." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You don't mind breaking the law?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Stolen, then." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family means taking possession of that which another person has a prior one's self under obligations.' indeed which he could not unravel. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?"