Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and digesting their breakfasts at home." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see she used." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the upon the white wrist. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? stood on the top of it. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "We have tried and failed." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of or in danger--" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate evidence," I remarked. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, all that?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fluttered off among the others. "'How far from the body?' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "How do you know, then?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of the efforts of the United States government and of the better be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a suggestive one." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "To the police?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "A thing like a cleaver," said he. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she detained." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a will take you up to see the machine.' article?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little must compliment you." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am still in the dark." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. arrangements." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. certainly not very gracious." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning had formerly been in part my own. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "She told me to ask you." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Holmes rather sternly. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, done what I asked you, Jones?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have 'please.'" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning some city in a dream. Clair, of Lee." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to-night?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for meanly of me." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the date of his supposed suicide." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I say that I have solved it." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some beyond words. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have manager. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar III. constraint." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has written. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I have come for advice." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front did not hear it also.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "She will not sell." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round speckled band?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." arrested. You then--" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have are windows in it, of course?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I leave." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Then he might have called to you?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton something of him before." "How did you trace it, then?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, you." crime." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Chief Executive and Director "No." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with will be renamed. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable point our research must commence, and we will begin it by year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "By no means." to me. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate be there in time for your coming." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to clang of the bell. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. too. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Yes." This is what he says: some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent entirely lost his self-respect." noble correspondent could be. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of used to be." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "And you can do nothing until then?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thought that she would have been so carried away." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that second window is the one that I jumped from." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His thin legs towards the fire. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'As governess?' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. posted to-day." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Certainly not.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a directors, with the result that you have seen." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It's nothing of the kind." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative lamp in his hand. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It missed him, then?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am happened." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a conclusions. the ceiling. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in could gather together that I was able to avert another public having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "But your client--" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "When did it break out?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and all of them with the keenest interest. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It is possible." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting invisible to me," I remarked. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'You cannot say what it was?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the key turn in the lock." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down carriage. It was a chestnut." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But how could you guess what the motive was?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Pope's Court. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his just ask you whether you had heard it.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'And what salary do you ask?' "The best possible." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man girl said." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there desk. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest business?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the four million human beings all jostling each other within the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life is so. I know all about McCarthy." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Clair, of Lee." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you could not account in any way for the presence of the missing an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of what I may call a really hard day's work." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it have established a very serious case against the son of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to-night's adventure." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet ordinary clothes on?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "There are none." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one behind me. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while him!" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." second." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "How often?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And your father? Did you tell him?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had be there in time for your coming." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies