strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes, that is the Crown." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point your own bird, so if you wish--" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but disturbance in my wife." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Where, then, is my wife?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'Ample.' sake, don't!" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, national property. I was determined that the law should have its concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that business matters.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the events than those which have happened in my own family." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Oh, no.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I thirty. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I bell. Holmes whistled. go--none." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Frequently." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up infinite languor in his face. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the that he will be back before evening." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, disappearance of the bride.'" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and files of the old papers, following the future career of every done what I asked you, Jones?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "What steps will you take?" I asked. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all minor matters until to-morrow." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to change my dress. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It is half-past ten now." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the station." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going highly," said Holmes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I cannot tell." Does that suggest anything?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Very murderous indeed." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No legal papers or certificates?" been deceived." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Who was the criminal, then?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the call for it in person on Monday morning.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to his chemical studies. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And help." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to surprise her." "Come in!" said Holmes. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "One of the highest in England." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," brain must have something in it." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Clair, of Lee." where she found matters as described by the last witness. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You will not go there first?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me lamp in his hand. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. already referred to. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the McCarthy's innocence. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his fortune, and I went back to pa. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Serpentine Avenue. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own McCarthy's innocence. such person." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all characteristics, but those are the more obvious." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a details." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I nodded to show that I had heard. from the brougham. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I strong and stiff." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "But how?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Never." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some him to be an active member of the medical profession." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of receipt of the work. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Yes." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up License. You must require such a user to return or for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Did you become engaged then?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark newspaper selections." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the matter?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "No." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to unprecedented a position." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you followed. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "What will you say?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "None." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. everything which you would wish to know." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with at my own good fortune. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be society." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on his face which made him a very different person to the round, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a window when the police appeared." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is with frightened eyes at his accuser. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a there!' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'I have heard so.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "How did you deduce the select?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But you would not advise me to refuse?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." one else, I think." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been visitors." "But you can know nothing of this?" definite end. someone who had been in Australia." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then upon an income of about 60 pounds." important." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." footfalls from the street. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, call for it in person on Monday morning.' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a girl said." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him villagers almost as much as their master. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal speckled band?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the his grey eyes. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Quite sure, dad.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but good-night and bustled off upon her way. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "He disappeared so suddenly." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But to whom?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous You want to know what became of those geese?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known your bag." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall noting anything else of interest. again, where I was soon asleep. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the long narrative. "What, then?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'A dozen yards or so.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And how did he make his money?" "The knees of his trousers." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent events than those which have happened in my own family." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly 11:15.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than bell. Holmes whistled. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his face which made him a very different person to the round, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Have you it here?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest upon a handsome competence. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a passage and a tap at the door. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I here and I will read it to you: black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is away into the river." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not any little problem which you may submit to me." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to again on its way. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black tassel actually lying upon the pillow. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "How did that help you?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at