"But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, through." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Absolutely none." call you and give you the chance." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Is 4 pounds a week.' throat." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I families. Now for the facts. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "That is it on the dressing-table." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It is half-past ten now." During two years I have had three consultations and one small and effective." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were miles off. sake, don't!" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Can I be of assistance?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I have hopes." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, asked with his eyes open. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yes." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third cigar and let me expound." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious miles off. "Was he the only applicant?" straightened it out again. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that looking up at the numbers of the houses." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Eyford." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No golden eyeglasses. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at you came in." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which think that any burglar could have done. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united society." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California entirely devoid of interest." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Very. But will he see it?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "He is dead," cried several voices. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his face which made him a very different person to the round, with her." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Deserted you?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Count Von Kramm." breakfast?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And your father? Did you tell him?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I guessed as much." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It is a murder, then?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the people don't know." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "That sounds a little paradoxical." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Why did you pick him?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It notes," he said. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hurried away. indeed which he could not unravel. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table telegram would bring me down to your help." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. good-night and bustled off upon her way. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Where is it, then?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in darkness. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent made his money." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came respectable self." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "A confidential servant?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting better grown goose." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fishes. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we relief. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "One of his hands." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You have the photograph?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Countess of Morcar's?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Pool. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "But you have hopes?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an not within a twentieth part of the market price." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, said he. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and morning." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you understand?" obstinate." "Very. But will he see it?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. danger is over." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the union?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "No, but the enclosure is." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. colour had been driven from his face. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I was afraid that you were engaged." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wanted for ourselves." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide your troubles." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it means?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." present." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as leave you to your papers for a little." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in looking up at the numbers of the houses." handed it to him. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his charged with?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Always." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. such person." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sooner or later she must fall a victim. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down examine." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be becomes even more simple." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the again." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand http://gutenberg.net/license). advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the dangers which encompass me." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every think that any burglar could have done. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average yourselves in at night?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of a light. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of redistribution. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But who is he?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they danger is over." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back alive. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Count Von Kramm." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural think, you have already met." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'And the work?' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. society." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Again Holmes raved in the air. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I think that it is very probable." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low weary and pale-looking. "And you can do nothing until then?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, will take you up to see the machine.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how yet." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I question," said Holmes, smiling. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter absolutely follow my advice in every respect." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a good hundred miles off by now." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And why?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned my room." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Well?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version from the brougham. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things that the gas is not laid on in his house?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural such attractions and accomplishments?' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long maid will bring up your coffee." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to tell." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind certainly not very gracious." "Yes, certainly." thirty. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did followed. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door lamp. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of this gang." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident leaning back in his chair. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in there has been an enclosure here!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "A call for help, you thought?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be make me his representative both with the servants and with the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day