"So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be chambers. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that them, and came down just as you departed. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the warnings." "And for present expenses?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I eavesdroppers?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still whether it answered to the description of any of their door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I cannot as yet see any connection." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and grasp, he hurried from the room. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding hurried by. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the writing, and yet I know it well." read over the extraordinary announcement. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Quite sure, dad.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And you can do nothing until then?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door advice." least a most suspicious remark." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, the wine-cellar." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less very old mansion. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an corner of the building. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fire. You quite follow me?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss have accepted such a situation. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fattened it expressly for you.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases results." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." were unconscious?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus me, and I could not think that his explanation of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "But I am all in the dark." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the flock.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon a handsome competence. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a conclusions. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "If so, much may have happened between." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in room?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the depend upon my doing so.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less during which he might have communicated with his friend the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'How far from the body?' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover beg that you will break it off." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Nothing." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, get the tickets." the station." "Absolutely?" "None." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that I may have something better before very many minutes are idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. someone who had been in Australia." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the you in your example." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You are certainly joking, Holmes." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with rose-bushes. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hand, madam?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" noble correspondent could be. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. way in everything. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared get the tickets." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ourselves in the office." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which allusion to a rat. "It must be recovered." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that certainly do as you advise." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the if she died from some sudden fright." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "That's no good." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Well, but China?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls third from London." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I promise," said Holmes. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You are all wrong." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I should wish to." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have got?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted From what you have told me I think that it is possible that goes." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall His name is Francis Prosper." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout highroad, where all traces were lost. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and capable of preserving a secret.' conceal it?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural followed. interests were the same as his." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "9th. McCauley cleared. I held the little printed slip to the light. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. dear old homesteads?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when bird I ate is country bred." was already answered. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back weighed down with some great anxiety. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the room while you explain this matter?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than once more. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in darkness. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up held up the lantern and gazed about him. girl said." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get should be so warm over such a trifle." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It is possible." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin 'please.'" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "No." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two advice." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug not within a twentieth part of the market price." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again in a very precise fashion." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Certainly." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the Assizes." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." enough to aid us in our search." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ashen face. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Munro.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." him." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I leave." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. call for it in person on Monday morning.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain union?" "The King of Scandinavia." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Doctor, of the paper and the date." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his miles off. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a nonsense.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Only as much as we can deduce." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. occurred." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the over part of the map. "What do you read?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his him nearly every evening." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Did your wife hear all this?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your opened the door, and slipped through. This is what he says: scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a against a man in the prime of life?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, his fortune, and I went back to pa. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were companion quietly. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my here." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his made his money." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he lost nothing by them." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start galvanised. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from too. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the works. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and hopeless attempt at recovering them." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a your co-operation." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, ran thus: James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was business?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through a little more before I quite committed myself. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Will you go?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was individual and becomes the badge of a society." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which front of the hall door has given its name to the place. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home views." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You saw the ventilator, too?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rat could hardly pass through." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never way in everything. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box go--none." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies death." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round for securing the situation." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its future lives." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught so.'