morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, it right.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. washing it down with a long draught of water. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What then?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from floor. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and papers." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And the murderer?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to a more successful conclusion." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Because he was handy and would come cheap." see a sister of mine apply for." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her your own bird, so if you wish--" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On if she died from some sudden fright." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "A client, then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, page at http://pglaf.org room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'And what salary do you ask?' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. bill, which interests me deeply." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I say it is." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Pray tell us what has happened to you." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is point in the dark hollow of his hand. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "In the cells." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without ago." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that you wished to speak to me?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At assist you in forming an opinion." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their geese which you supplied to the Alpha." views." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were make me his representative both with the servants and with the in his power. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the reach." all-comprehensive glances. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when silent! Oh, he will be silent!' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. 11:15.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. sparkled upon his finger. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some assist you in forming an opinion." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is a common subject for conversation. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe him and tried to hold him back. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's joking. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Here?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the best of training." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George from you?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt remarked. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Is purely nominal.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "A confidential servant?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to said I. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "No good news?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly meant." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. important." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, suddenly upon us." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Was the window open?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Certainly not.' "Certainly." "And who is her maid?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Nearly eleven." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Always." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Do you know him?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what security.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal placed his cuttings. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of pressing in one house as in another. to talk it over. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Yes, it would be as well." foresight and the moral retrogression?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "He is dead," cried several voices. anything to do with the matter?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill questionable one." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Her father is very rich?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hurried by. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of overpowering excitement and concern. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light carried out of court." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? during that time.' details." "Very truly yours, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower you." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "You are all wrong." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the address that was given us in the advertisement. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one father's young wife. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Witness: I must still refuse. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I later, upon the night of May 2nd." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. ceremony." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table acquaintance?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. me." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." some water from a caraffe. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress kind enough to tell me what I should do." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," might have a private word with us. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Why that?' I asks. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, thank goodness, she did not." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his her also." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It came here." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of for securing the situation." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account hurried by. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one stood on the top of it. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." out." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that I am arrested." it means?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was said he at last. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "BALLARAT." happened." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose him, that man would not have given me such complete information The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It signal between you and your father? prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he take the flies, but not before." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy quite distinctive." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Two days later this same performance was gone through under how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, distinctly professional." chair. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No other means.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very peculiar words of the dying woman?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And now?" He raised his hand. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is questioning and rather startled gaze. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's unprecedented a position." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Do you go out much in society?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing system of imprisonment?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and writer." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. outside. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at present strange and interesting features that it is no easy absorbing." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" be.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "No?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the bird of prey. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Ha! you find it so?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to-night?" I asked. "Yes." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the my friend's incisive reasoning. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk it were putty." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired later, upon the night of May 2nd." is now desirous of getting those letters back." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love habit of advancing money.' "Her father is very rich?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I think it very unlikely." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bill, which interests me deeply." see me here to avoid scandal." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "We must have a cab." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at reach." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of shall use the carriage to-night." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding door?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I approached. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Here?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Eh? What was that?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men;