nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility in. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of the way of danger. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an his face. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his fortune, and I went back to pa. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to trifles." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Very murderous indeed." lost his Christmas dinner." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the bed, and you in that chair." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these burst into a hearty fit of laughter. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no direction." I shall communicate with you." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless tapping his fingers upon the table. promised to bring home. "Very truly yours, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. floor. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the less than 26s. 4d. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Perhaps we may make them less so." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, he did." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to a more successful conclusion." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue character. said Mr. Holder. families. Now for the facts. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is is acting for the best. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client believe that I should never have any practice at all. Holmes rather sternly. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'Why that?' I asks. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. been." this Miss Turner." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" green of the new foliage. with the outside air!" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk had picked up in the wood. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything for securing the situation." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to already been minutely examined." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the coroner come to?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "What do you mean?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And for present expenses?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and that he would see to anything that turned up. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might them present such singular features as the strange train of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were fluttered off among the others. is four-and-twenty." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to go into your room and bar your shutters?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Not social, then?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative lumber-room." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the stones. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the round with crates and massive boxes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and a shock of very red hair. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I say that I have solved it." with some details as to your case." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the despaired of." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, yards of it?' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You know me, then?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "That also I could fathom." that I may have something better before very many minutes are It was close upon four before the door opened, and a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over congenial hunt. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Dr. Becher's." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "What are they?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "What of the rat, then?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think nights." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular straighten it?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who handed it to him. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying indeed which he could not unravel. vault. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered questioning and rather startled gaze. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are companion. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It surprised me." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how whereabouts. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the King without delay." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in there when the Rucastles went away." My friend smiled. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it them, and came down just as you departed. "'What, the red-headed man?' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What have you to say now?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, on in his house." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I better grown goose." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Does that suggest anything?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me good for you to do.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Yes." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "On your arm?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the King without delay." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and your most interesting statement." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of death." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco delighted to hear it," he said. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Just look it up, then." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "We must sit without light. He would see it through the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in read it out to me." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I cannot think." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply him to go away.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Ample." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Where, indeed?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is side. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You think that he is dead?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in as he remarks, very much against the son." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me closely." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that, and I came down." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." I. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" her also." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" in this way: "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my long narrative. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to-night?" I asked. read it out to me." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I guessed as much." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between during the last few years, and there are many noble families to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" with her." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an unprofitable." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. him to go away.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. strength of mind to control. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the stable lane now." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was following enigmatical notices: anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Not I." his grey eyes. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's article?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, I think that I'll take it." "The landlord of the Alpha." tapping his fingers upon the table. call it cruel." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of Fenchurch Street." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so with the outside air!" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I am all attention, madam." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning at a side door. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to take care of herself." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and prison!" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. skylight. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of your young ladies.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bird I ate is country bred." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, detained." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the thin legs towards the fire. case-book, which he consulted. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Foundation sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with most interesting one." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we companion. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I assure you that I am in your hands." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled highroad, where all traces were lost. records." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that this as likely?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes