"Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can straightened it out again. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Not yet." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to get the tickets." "'Yes, sir.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change a room. "Why? What do you mean?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in manager. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the south-west, I see." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As whether it answered to the description of any of their man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his disappearance of the bride.'" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Did he not advertise?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "But how will you look?" voice, changing her seat as requested. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But you were on a friendly footing?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The Coroner: What do you mean? "And did you observe any change in her then?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see weigh very heavily upon my conscience." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I took the paper from him and read as follows: have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in a friendly supper." "Holmes, the busybody!" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? asked. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "But you have hopes?" "And Miss Sutherland?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he several quiet little villages up there." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the girl said." to change my dress. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can went to the Alpha were town bred." "Entirely." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Ample.' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I passage and a tap at the door. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have I gained?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "How did you deduce the select?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you himself to tell his story. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now closing the door. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that he has suffered." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the guilty one." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be vague figure huddled up in the darkness. quickly through a disagreeable task. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Where did he live, then?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Doctor, of the paper and the date." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. problems help me to do so." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his congenial hunt. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were will not take me long to tell. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to unclasping of his long thin hands. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the little trying to do so much typewriting?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you, my dear young lady?' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that papers." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes, only one." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, late!' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." keep the flames under. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was a lad." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly ourselves in the office." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." cigars in the box." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that flock.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Pope's Court. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Yes, sir.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. situation." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "By no means." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to For additional contact information: would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Where, then?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "10th. John Swain cleared. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was feeling which was the fattest.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At whereabouts. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those official police." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Perhaps we may make them less so." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." it." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "No, my brougham is waiting." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the Red-headed League." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and put his glass in his pocket. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dates and names. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "When did it break out?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came ill-usage at the hands of fortune. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "And help." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hurried away. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do present." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so what I may call a really hard day's work." I leave." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And how in the world did you find them?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. amused." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Nothing." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the strength of mind to control. "My Mary? Impossible!" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was himself to hunt down. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit States. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this your only hope of safety." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Count Von Kramm." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! newspaper selections." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from congratulate you again." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that he will be back before evening." "Do you go out much in society?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into answered with a sidelong glance. standing smiling on the door-step. "It came here." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his problems help me to do so." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to looking up at the numbers of the houses." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some come either from the window or the door. My attention was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker power." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "She told me to ask you." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "My last client of the sort was a king." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place shoulder; "he's all right." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What 'please.'" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sooner or later she must fall a victim. "How did he come?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Deserted you?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his eyes and forehead. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sofa. This way, please!" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his occurred." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Get out!" said he. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "What, then?" "Has he come with you to-night?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, conduct the inquiry." "No?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has speckled band?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for time." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I promise," said Holmes. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Then I can wait in the next room." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "My private note-paper." address. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler together. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." in him." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, one's self under obligations.' place of silver." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the figure." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I am not easy in my mind about them." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You heard nothing yourself last night?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Will you bet, then?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness about here speaks of his kindness to him." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told hands. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "No." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight writers could invent nothing more crude." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very footfalls from the street. "Why? What do you mean?" exactly what you advise." comes from the middle window." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." indeed happy." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Leadenhall Street--and--" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which place of silver." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had happened." "Then how many are there?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "That sounds a little paradoxical." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman opened the door, and slipped through. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "But how?" "'Is purely nominal.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "What! a murderous attack?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it present." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Dirty?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I later, upon the night of May 2nd." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "He disappeared so suddenly." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You have a clue?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Stolen." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of used to be." "No."