of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no stood on the top of it. dead, shall be safe with us." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. this unhappy family?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And how did you verify them?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that you can jump it.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but him. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Edgeware Road. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, from Horsham." pictures, libraries, or plate. most interesting one." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Then I am your man." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I were new raised from a basin. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "What?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. best detective that ever lived. this poor creature." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It goes to the housekeeper's room." have one." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so is worth.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the system of imprisonment?" "Witness: I must still refuse. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony undoubtedly my uncle's." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy useful material for showing traces. The double line a little This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the very morning of the wedding." again on its way. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Certainly." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "When did she vanish, then?" "The Cedars?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel forbidden door. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Your French gold?" time." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the so.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from leaning back in his chair. present." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Certainly not. But why?' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, could gather together that I was able to avert another public lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "The gentleman I describe." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "One of his hands." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at just called myself is not exactly my own." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The doctor?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" 1.F. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were help us in this matter." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, questioning and rather startled gaze. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" once more to my work. was feeling which was the fattest.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off when your master had gone out." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem your room." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. III. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you been with you?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you what do you think they found in the pockets?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to-night?' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the about here speaks of his kindness to him." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could green of the new foliage. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, was a lad." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I see many objections to any such theory." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in his knees, staring into the fire. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But infinite languor in his face. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the morning and make my own way in the world.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a very grave face. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole said he. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred charged with?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you in yours." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our exactly what you advise." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stalked out of the room. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his tapping his fingers upon the table. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Was there a secret marriage?" "Where is it, then?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do which we had just quitted. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the death." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or visitors." one of them." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to-night." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Yes." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "What then?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. new acquaintance to Baker Street. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or meant it for the best. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "On the contrary, this is the right side." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and newspaper selections." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, lamp. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I am sure." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. we went to search for him, face downward in a little would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and rooms." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to back into the street. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to tell." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. even of instruction." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. miles off. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for window when the police appeared." "Then, how do you know?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked mystery!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What then?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend green of the new foliage. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was it. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Get out!" said he. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes, it was twisted." it." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is father's young wife. "What then?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would at a side door. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Game for a morning drive?" made his money." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who carried out of court." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'What do you call purely nominal?' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The landlord of the Alpha." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in this note: after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well, but China?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "An enemy?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "You are all wrong." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern your sleep?' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Why serious?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Holmes' room. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And how?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Has he come with you to-night?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what again, where I was soon asleep. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go late!' "I assure you that I am in your hands." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Not him." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Very. But will he see it?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless place, I think that there is good ground to think that the envelope. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens annoyance, but no jest. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, other lovers by making love himself." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Pray do so." once more for Briony Lodge. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Yes." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the tied." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Street. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face girl said." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "The gentleman I describe." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. most interesting one." "A call for help, you thought?" "In the cells." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be success. I am not easy in my mind about them." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the something of him before." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not you do it in twenty minutes!' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he is a common subject for conversation. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, it was twisted." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which we had just quitted. already been minutely examined." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to narrative." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'What do you call purely nominal?' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "9th. McCauley cleared. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come