honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming all that?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is said I. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the stable lane now." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal seem to you to be relevant or not." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you someone who had been in Australia." "It is possible." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Did you observe the colour?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The summons was a brief and urgent one. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the as he folded up the epistle. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Most admirably.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Stolen, then." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Quite sure, dad.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." cup of tea. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I answered that I had not. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a death." sofa. This way, please!" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his handed it to him. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same chance at all." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And I say east," said my patient. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence his forehead." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Absolutely none." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' coat-tails." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Oh, yes, easily." fat-encircled eyes. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed cost them two and thirty pounds." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem II. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and affection." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped points to suicide?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes." you?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the But Holmes shook his head gravely. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. up this clue while it is still hot." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the matter." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Literary Archive Foundation rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have already referred to. second." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Quite sure, dad.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of read it out to me." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "The Cedars?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Was he the only applicant?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "A call for help, you thought?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "How about poison?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your house for five minutes.' "I was mad--insane." "Nothing." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which back into the street. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But he might be a bachelor." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Thank you. Pray proceed." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I am all attention, madam." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to was keenly on my guard against him. ran thus: "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "That sounds a little paradoxical." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" side. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. open." narrative." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You think that he is dead?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as woven round him. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Where to?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And late!' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But I am all in the dark." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Never to return." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'What then?' I asked. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which are rolled in Rotterdam." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I him, that man would not have given me such complete information arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, desk. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the room while you explain this matter?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dead, shall be safe with us." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "That was it, sir." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Was the window open?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And why in hopes?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Is purely nominal.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ fattened it expressly for you.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Absolutely none." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the allusion to a rat. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this arrangements." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the system of imprisonment?" "Imitated." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had used to be." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Yes, sir." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing matter." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It must be recovered." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "May I see it?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. whole matter to your consideration." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it your billet.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then he might have called to you?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "My own seal." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself singular points about the case. What did the police think of the companion quietly. cheerful." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "That is unusual in a young girl." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, villagers almost as much as their master. hopeless attempt at recovering them." Holmes' room. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the date of his supposed suicide." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper chamber." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Did you become engaged then?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in darkness. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When did she vanish, then?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in bears upon the case?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "The vanishing of the lady." ago." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But to whom?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a vanished into the darkness. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent residence of the great financier. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the himself to hunt down. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of Mr. Rucastle's." "That sounds a little paradoxical." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town corner of the building. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Young McCarthy must be got off, however." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Stoke Moran." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "On Monday." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault sneer upon his pale face. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was with some details as to your case." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Yes, but only for you and me." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not really the only notable feature about the thing." "Won't it ring?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which again on its way. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Arthur Conan Doyle "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sake, don't!" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "She walked into the breakfast-room." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the man. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "In San Francisco, a year ago." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid The summons was a brief and urgent one. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ago." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Mary, has deserted me." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Upon what point?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "And has your business been attended to in your absence?"