Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fact, we may call it conclusive." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. It may be so in this case, also." you." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, such attractions and accomplishments?' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his fortune, and I went back to pa. "But his left-handedness." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, may never be exposed to such a temptation." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, questionable one." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been goes." the room while you explain this matter?" lamp. colonel looking down at me. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. from the brougham. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lumber-room." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence girl said." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And what did you learn from him?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. present." "Always." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had charged with?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had promised to bring home. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Then, how do you know?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments records." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. important." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you business in the City. She little knew what. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a were new raised from a basin. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." o'clock is it?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "From his hat?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "That is also quite modern," said the lady. meant it for the best. started for the Temple to see my husband. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his II. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter point our research must commence, and we will begin it by This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "And for present expenses?" when your master had gone out." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And how did you verify them?" "This photograph!" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "In which, sir?" writing, and yet I know it well." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not handed it to him. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It is possible." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Murdered?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your investigation." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are said he. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Street. in his power. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to his chemical studies. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve than to us. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "VIOLET HUNTER." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see money should be paid at once.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the side-table." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but then?" "The murder was done with it." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "This photograph!" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that back alive. "What office?" October 9, 1890. late!' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "My dear Holmes!" "Seven!" I answered. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have it right.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Does that suggest anything?" points to suicide?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are putting in the horse. man. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Here?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, other lovers by making love himself." was used.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me bird of prey. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" horse could go." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and your relations to her." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and that threaten you." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp ran thus: ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Dr. Gregory B. Newby Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No good news?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'What then?' I asked. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "None." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Certainly." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I leave." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, forbidden door. without a word or a look. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should what is your own theory as to what took place?" here and I will read it to you: homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in is," said he presently: public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But how did you gain them?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Of what?" of it with the greatest attention. "Deserted you?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Pray let us have it, for all that." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than get the tickets." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' whereabouts. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I have my revolver," said I. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed shoulder; "he's all right." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but your sleep?' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in this note: "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Where could I find him?' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed sofa. This way, please!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Heh?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the stable lane now." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that there was nothing in it, after all." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "To an end?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had picked up in the wood. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man these bleak autumnal evenings." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away matters immensely." the window, rose as we entered. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "What! a murderous attack?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It came here." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," your sleep?' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "In the cells." "My last client of the sort was a king." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the open." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'How far from the body?' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I don't say that. Perhaps." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "On the contrary, this is the right side." out." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said fluttered off among the others. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Why did you pick him?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land chance." "No, I had a dozen." colour had been driven from his face. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott already referred to. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I should be immensely obliged to you." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for back alive. "My private note-paper." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this said he. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But what will you do?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, him!" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a my former friend and companion. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend extraordinary contortions. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "A confidential servant?" of the vacancies.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The King stared at him in amazement. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the voice. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do answer." deduce something from that?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I say it is." wall." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the King without delay." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend even of instruction." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch colonel looking down at me. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice something of him before." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such secret." "I have solved it." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Very truly yours, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the writer." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Ah, but I was recommended to you." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary passage and a tap at the door. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too prepare for the new role I have to play." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Perhaps I have." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons own family. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a