Pope's Court, Fleet Street." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." forbidden door. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some murdered man." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'No, I know no one in these parts.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident compunction about shooting them down." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Then what has happened to him?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than opened the door, and slipped through. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I guessed as much." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have there when the Rucastles went away." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you seven miles from Eyford Station.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Dirty?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a visitors." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That is unusual in a young girl." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would were new raised from a basin. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Here?" morning." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no lost nothing by them." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name just ask you whether you had heard it.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was once confined in the cab my mission was practically they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "What can it mean?" I gasped. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Just look it up, then." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Yes?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I am not easy in my mind about them." "In what way?" asked Holmes. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Again Holmes raved in the air. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. room. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "He disappeared so suddenly." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to someone who had been in Australia." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to spark where all is dark to me." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "But to whom?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It came here." "'Never,' said I. that there was nothing in it, after all." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Quite so. She has her freedom." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the outside. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And what then?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and I shall be with you presently." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered how narrow had been my escape. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the one's self under obligations.' said I. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case know what is wrong with it.' power." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, bonnet, and went out." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine straighten it?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms presented which may be striking and bizarre without being heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and this Miss Turner." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the coronet at all injured?" "I am to be neutral?" "I am about to be married." "And how in the world did you find them?" fashion which was peculiar to him. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make system of imprisonment?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all telegram would bring me down to your help." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I am about to be married." made him keep the appointment." "Witness: Nothing definite. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous rooms." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the cheerful." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "None." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your not use it unless it is absolutely needed." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to a more successful conclusion." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "But how?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the about here speaks of his kindness to him." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Does that suggest anything?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of populous neighbourhood." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "What can you not understand?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Yes, it would be as well." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no guilty one." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my security.' companion imperturbably. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes round with crates and massive boxes. "My stepfather's business papers." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I cannot tell." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly British peeress.'" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But of what society?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the nothing with him." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. felt the room to be a little close.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I nodded again. "Never to return." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Eyford at 11:15.' "In answer to an advertisement." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had way in everything. "But how?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there maid will bring up your coffee." "Yes." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for through." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'A dozen yards or so.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Not him." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She you?' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The front of me. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew once more on the important position which you have been fortunate He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from one or two very singular points about this room. For example, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "How can you tell that?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "On Monday." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag late." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It is possible." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Quite so." really the only notable feature about the thing." said I. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it floor. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "By no means." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and people don't know." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as all that?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A weary and pale-looking. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated photograph?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I am armed." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a crowd. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Nearly eleven." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Dirty?" is," said he presently: "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. some terrible trap for her." "Game for a morning drive?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. you." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending meant." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The tell him that I know him to be innocent." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "He said too much." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Gutenberg-tm License. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "On your arm?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Ample.' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings burst out into a roar of laughter. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the cause to be." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me humiliation." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "How did he come?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Oh, no.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes." My friend smiled. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." charge against him will break down." take the flies, but not before." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." astonishment. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "One?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." his cane at the bell-pull. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from gentleman's clothes. "Yes." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And himself to hunt down. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Witness: I must still refuse. and put his glass in his pocket. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof arms and began to sob in a high treble key. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of became a certainty. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the bedroom door." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when have been better. It is all right." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback relief. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!"