Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." quite distinctive." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Where to?' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed she might be summoned. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot of the one which your family is now devouring." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but said I. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a drove away. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY said I. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it weigh very heavily upon my conscience." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I don't believe it." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the do.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'How far from the body?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his should be taken.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I say it is." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker so far?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "That was it, sir." at my remark. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "No?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "And Miss Sutherland?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you breakfast?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "What office?" your sleep?' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some someone who had been in Australia." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I assure you that I am in your hands." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'It is locked up,' I answered. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked hereditary King of Bohemia." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Does that suggest anything?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said or other trace. But how on earth--" "But the mystery?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Not yet." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of fashion which was peculiar to him. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have not had my rubber." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Certainly." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son suspect him." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, him nearly every evening." them?" "'Where to?' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You horrify me!" society." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes, sir." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had ceremony." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. begun to whiten, even as mine has." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "And did you observe any change in her then?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it side. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It was an hour's good drive." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. your room." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front may have an influence upon European history." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an fattened it expressly for you.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, directors, with the result that you have seen." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much will he say when he returns?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is again, where I was soon asleep. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the second." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great tension within him. was lame." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And how in the world did you find them?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. giving me time to thank him. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Munro.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in him." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. approach us with offers to donate. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg had picked up in the wood. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and unclasping of his long thin hands. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he died? the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her approach us with offers to donate. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." himself to tell his story. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Very murderous indeed." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and a shock of very red hair. of it with the greatest attention. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest II. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I am following you closely," I answered. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah!" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which presume?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'In my own bureau.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them letters?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Yes, at the mines." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it most interesting one." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I you." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, remarked. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "To an English lawyer named Norton." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then annoyance, but no jest. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ways of our fellow-men." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But what is it you wish?" gone. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and occupations.' "'Yes, it was gone.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the II. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, both be extremely obliged.' to tackle the facts." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I way: "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Yes, I have one waiting." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you grasp, he hurried from the room. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was be there in time for your coming." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and electronic works is a common subject for conversation. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how congratulate you again." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were horse could go." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the dear old homesteads?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I cannot say that I have." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "None." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, he died? habit of advancing money.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I shall communicate with you." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon written. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has him and tried to hold him back. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a train.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over face and glided from the room. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Not I." "And how?" noble correspondent could be. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered into the bag, and made for the door. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Sutherland. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Perfectly so." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had beyond words. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "What is it?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead nice household for a young lady." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing stalked out of the room. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Chief Executive and Director "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was ordinary clothes on?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'What, the red-headed man?' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was II. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any never to learn it at all." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and all of them with the keenest interest. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg papers." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in the hope of finding them." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want http://www.gutenberg.net you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I say it is." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup will not take me long to tell. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "But what will you do?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Perhaps I have." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Mrs. Toller serenely. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Have you her photograph?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Very. But will he see it?" guilty one." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful