"It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and imbecility!" he cried. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was bearing upon the case." sneer upon his pale face. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my minor matters until to-morrow." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. locked. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the inquest, and which are worth considering." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. forebodings. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather there." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "At the wedding breakfast." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Game for a morning drive?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his least a fellow-countryman. keep the flames under. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in walking." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making strength." "Which are?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But his left-handedness." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, leave you to your papers for a little." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Could he throw no light?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No, I had a dozen." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as noise which awoke you from your sleep?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman opened the door, and slipped through. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, so.' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Indeed! Whose, then?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "What! a murderous attack?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to call it cruel." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the so-precious time, but come!' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Your sister is dead, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had delirious. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "A greater distance to travel." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes From what you have told me I think that it is possible that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in highroad, where all traces were lost. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It is no ordinary one." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we me what he had done with the three missing stones. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Chief Executive and Director "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the woven round him. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the devil!" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for this man was intellectual?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Were they all fastened this morning?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you give your casting vote to?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the any." Countess of Morcar's?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Imitated." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was should be taken.' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in him." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Who by?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss not use it unless it is absolutely needed." interest. They are important, you understand, without being pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And Miss Sutherland?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much if only as a check to my own memory." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office unclasping of his long thin hands. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, interested in these little problems, and since you are good the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What is it?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had fashion which was peculiar to him. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that leave you to your papers for a little." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited forebodings. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and at home. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by DISSOLVED. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Quite so." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Not in the least." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very desk. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That is unusual in a young girl." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to room. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Countess of Morcar's?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my again." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' him." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "It is solved." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his promised to bring home. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I answered that I had not. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." as noiselessly as she had come. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money used to be." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "No." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Here?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" 1.E.9. bill, which interests me deeply." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. matters immensely." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to where we are going." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "To the police?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with she to prove their authenticity?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I at once, for I have only half an hour." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there would then never go into court at all." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate The summons was a brief and urgent one. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons nights." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "By no means." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. villagers almost as much as their master. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off companion. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "We were both in the photograph." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called corner of the building. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the general public were present, then?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Yes, all." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. strode off upon his way. "Never." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up might have a private word with us. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously silent! Oh, he will be silent!' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And from a noble client?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it subject to the trademark license, especially commercial makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he placed his cuttings. lost his Christmas dinner." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" had this final quarrel? course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sit on the left-hand side of the driver." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than occupations.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love details should find their way into the papers. Inspector animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Holmes' face clouded over. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bled considerably." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. DISSOLVED. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim