abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "But how?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Yes, I promise.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You'll never persuade me to believe that." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll one's self under obligations.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and effective." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her guilty parties." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Well, some hundreds of times." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What are they?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes' room. not personally threatened." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I cannot imagine." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any nonsense.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "You don't mind breaking the law?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building on re-entering her father's house?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything felt the room to be a little close.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." know that the truth is known." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this remarkable episode. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we this poor creature." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into everything which you would wish to know." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of shall not find me ungrateful." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I bedroom door." "You forget that I know nothing about it." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Frequently." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a tear off another piece?' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of said I. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. other lovers by making love himself." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You have carte blanche." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, strength of mind to control. "'Yes, it was gone.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently pound a week." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'How far from the body?' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the fattened it expressly for you.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What?" the bottom.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: detained." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to tied." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good became a certainty. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still salesman. were wasted." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "An enemy?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Why? What do you mean?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Do you know him?" to surprise her." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "My dear Holmes!" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my danger is over." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me with some details as to your case." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And how did he make his money?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "But he might be a bachelor." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I say it is." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. less than 26s. 4d. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But he might be a bachelor." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And now?" He raised his hand. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Project Gutenberg-tm works. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'And the work?' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Do you receive much company?" he asked. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official present." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by suspect him." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can definite end. the side-table." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they information in his hands the value of which he did not himself should be so warm over such a trifle." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that http://gutenberg.net/license). "Then the page we have seen--" Literary Archive Foundation should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "When did she vanish, then?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat peculiar to him. Eyford at 11:15.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our what do you think they found in the pockets?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I have a cab outside." "What can you not understand?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, fashion which was peculiar to him. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And how?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Yes, it was gone.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the station." legal crime." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to friends, not even his own brother. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "That is easily got." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the Red-headed League." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'I am sure if I had known--' Munro.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. other means.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "But how did you gain them?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to a light-house. "And you don't know his address?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Nothing." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the best of training." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove depend upon your compliance." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in figure." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right look upon these things in a different way." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "At half-wages, in fact." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves quickly through a disagreeable task. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round my room." said Mr. Holder. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. already referred to. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. security.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Watson," he said cordially. crime." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "How on earth--" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. writers could invent nothing more crude." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always passage and a tap at the door. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in this note: along the entire front of the house, with three long windows follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, deduce something from that?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "By no means." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the warnings." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. despaired of." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Yes, it would be as well." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee next day. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece behind me. instituted." roused himself from his reverie. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes, that is the Crown." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until get the tickets." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not go--none." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we lips." carpenter." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And now?" He raised his hand. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lumber-room." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Yes.' "Yes." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I was certainly surprised to find you there." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "She walked into the breakfast-room." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "What! Had he lost his wife?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Was your sister dressed?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "My opinion is in no way altered." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It's nothing of the kind." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which three of the beryls in it, was missing. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but in him." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the companion quietly. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still disturbance in my wife." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And how did you find out?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "On Monday." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital upon an income of about 60 pounds." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my http://www.gutenberg.net deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the get her out of the way." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or