was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back fashion which was peculiar to him. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at bearing upon the case." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old more terrible than the truth. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for place no limit on the sum I may draw." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Certainly." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the my room." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Henry Baker is a member." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and handed it to him. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I am following you closely," I answered. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the presume?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Get out!" said he. absorbing." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid which it had come upon my father." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian to a light-house. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return it means?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "And Miss Sutherland?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And I." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some bonnet, and went out." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Street. "What then?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch less than 26s. 4d. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. words came to my lips. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have an American origin." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of his shoulders. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so own family. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door one of the states of the Union." letters?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." voice. place no limit on the sum I may draw." promised to bring home. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Ten to two.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I cannot as yet see any connection." recover the gem." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Why serious?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram him. at home. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "But his left-handedness." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not The events in question occurred in the early days of my rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. hardly wander." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a one of the states of the Union." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Where did he live, then?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm copied or distributed: he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable advice." "He might." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Witness: Nothing definite. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Not at all. I only doubt--' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, British peeress.'" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from three of the beryls in it, was missing. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step presume?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the yards of it?' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Have you her photograph?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did astonishment. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client some terrible trap for her." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present lectures into a series of tales." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Why that?' I asks. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of a light. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of receipt of the work. that I can to serve you." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had shadow pass over his face as I spoke. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I cannot imagine." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself suspect him." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I would pay ten." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism from you?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent humiliation." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The doctor?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "In which, sir?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, what these perils are?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the hurried away. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Young McCarthy must be got off, however." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction new acquaintance to Baker Street. strength of mind to control. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" very old mansion. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'A dozen yards or so.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to take care of herself." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the danger is over." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing little trying to do so much typewriting?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "The gentleman I describe." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have sake, don't!" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I strode off upon his way. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bird of prey. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper friends, not even his own brother. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do McCarthy." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar stood on the top of it. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a presented more singular features than that which was associated even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Which are?" nonsense.' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be second window is the one that I jumped from." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little lost his Christmas dinner." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Ah, but I was recommended to you." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and legal crime." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he fact, we may call it conclusive." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a all?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in his hands." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "My photograph." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said 1.F. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Have you her photograph?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But the mystery?" "And why?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Texas, I think." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there ways including including checks, online payments and credit card manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my presented more singular features than that which was associated and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Which dealer's?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, mysterious end." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of bird of prey. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fled together." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each front of me. light and attacked it." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to do.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that