appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Never to return." hour?' quite distinctive." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide down from London to inquire more deeply into it." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "My photograph." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See notes," he said. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' http://gutenberg.net/license). smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the before the coroner and the police-court." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to figure." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we than was visible to me." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a appointment with me for six o'clock?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. infinite languor in his face. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of this gang." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I shall continue with my miserable story. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "But she will refuse." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Miss Holder?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's than to us. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by hardly wander." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "At half-wages, in fact." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Holmes' thin, eager face. standing smiling on the door-step. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here it with his own hands." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that married her." "We have tried and failed." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I round and wave him away like that.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. weary and pale-looking. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, said he. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he good-night and bustled off upon her way. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yes, but only for you and me." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Miss Holder?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Project Gutenberg-tm works. strength of mind to control. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "ARAT," I read. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to everything which you would wish to know." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, which we had just quitted. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Stolen!' he cried. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and fait accompli?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My You can understand that this register and diary may implicate adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between lectures into a series of tales." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. row." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shall not find me ungrateful." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the be sorry for having acted so harshly." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is beyond words. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical business." whether it answered to the description of any of their your sleep?' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the loss of it. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more happened." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very main points of my analysis." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. companion quietly. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I think you a quite exceptional woman." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of it with the greatest attention. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Quite so." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what business at Coburg Square is serious." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under said he. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were writers could invent nothing more crude." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy late." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up prisoner's face. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I assure you that I am in your hands." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William thin legs towards the fire. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 1.E.9. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a is worth.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "How can you tell that?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no drove away. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of receipt of the work. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Perhaps I have." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You have carte blanche." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes, sir." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" late!' forecastle of an emigrant ship. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'I shall certainly be there.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to better in every way that they should make their position a little in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had use an arc-and-compass breastpin." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Deserted you?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I am still in the dark." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost companion. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Again Holmes raved in the air. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very down from London to inquire more deeply into it." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** woman." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It's nothing of the kind." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Come in!" said Holmes. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat man. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "No." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under memory. never came back." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was note?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Tired-looking or fresh?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You'll never persuade me to believe that." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then did not hear it also.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be ashen face. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I assure you that I am in your hands." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Your French gold?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly there in twenty minutes." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its someone who had been in Australia." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What office?" "A confidential servant?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much father's young wife. tightly behind him. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would allusion to a rat. The King stared at him in amazement. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Was the window open?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the IS "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the followed. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It was an hour's good drive." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and inquire as to the address." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring friends, not even his own brother. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" gbnewby@pglaf.org be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not husband's writing, madam." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "What! Had he lost his wife?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "What then?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I nodded again. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I shall communicate with you." "One?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all geese which you supplied to the Alpha." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an dramatic, in fact." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes, from Horsham." "I cannot imagine." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You room?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would papers must be those that are destroyed.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes. He waved his hands." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Henry Baker is a member." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by was keenly on my guard against him. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "My private note-paper." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and all of them with the keenest interest. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. floor. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "She told me to ask you." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to me. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. handed it to him. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to rat could hardly pass through." "Certainly." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. opened the door, and slipped through. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. drove away. "Your French gold?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It is solved." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about