convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You have the photograph?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to occurred." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were returned to France?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and no precautions can guard against." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How many? I don't know." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and it need not interfere very much with one's other reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without it." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to tackle the facts." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to-night's adventure." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The used to be." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him directly by questioning you." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment all?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was bird of prey. "And how in the world did you find them?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Never." friends, not even his own brother. "But we can't all be." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his orange pips. results." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and the church but not where the lady lived." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it were putty." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the inquest, and which are worth considering." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to you." matter." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case points to suicide?" present." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no envelope. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The rest you will leave in our hands." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything showing my impatience. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Then the page we have seen--" second." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. character. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and tapping his fingers upon the table. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a shall not find me ungrateful." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you want, then?' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in the dead of the night?' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There narrative." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to directors, with the result that you have seen." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did leaning back in his chair. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Mrs. Toller serenely. with her." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in the port of London." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he main points of my analysis." village inn over there?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and friend's singular character. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a this Miss Turner." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and wait." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." appeared upon the scene." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, conduct the inquiry." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that you saw all that I did." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Nothing?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'I shall certainly be there.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to your troubles." hair?' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to beg that you will break it off." "Was the window open?" "Pray do so." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was business?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What are they?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Is 4 pounds a week.' round with crates and massive boxes. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness without success. At last the little money which I had saved began great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the events than those which have happened in my own family." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Have you good authority for what you say?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out distinguish the words: "We have tried and failed." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sutherland?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and colour had been driven from his face. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in unkempt, staring out at me. crackling voice. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am armed." do." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Just look it up, then." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and put his glass in his pocket. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was not a bird to be seen there. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, You want to know what became of those geese?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the been able to understand it, in a very few words. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was already answered. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, manager. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Eyford at 11:15.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, affair. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'What then?' I asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to to have that photograph." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and all-comprehensive glances. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the night.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Nothing?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the child." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You horrify me." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Precisely so. But how--" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sholtos." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Then how many are there?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the certainly not very gracious." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "If so, much may have happened between." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Very murderous indeed." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you once more for Briony Lodge. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yes." infinite languor in his face. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Yes.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the night.' "'Yes, it was gone.' your room." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his think you a quite exceptional woman." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of campaign. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "So I heard. You have him here?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over matter over." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant you in yours." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were criminal. We have already had experience of such." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he thirty. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain sooner or later she must fall a victim. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I DISSOLVED. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that you saw all that I did." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ill-usage at the hands of fortune. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the maiden herself was most instructive." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Was he the only applicant?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Will you bet, then?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I don't say that. Perhaps." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" unprecedented a position." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was said Mr. Holder. "By all means." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Now, then, what's the last entry?" disturbance in my wife." "And you don't know his address?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole very morning of my second wedding." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to have been novel and of interest." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'Why that?' I asks. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "If I can be of use." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Of what?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an dates and names. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is them, and came down just as you departed. are windows in it, of course?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "The doctor?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? to me. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to to-night?" I asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Not him." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old all?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in you do it in twenty minutes!' disappearance of the bride.'"