and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you maiden herself was most instructive." the address that was given us in the advertisement. strength of mind to control. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. views." "No." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon the sideboard." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you next day. the stable lane now." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Never.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction allusion to a rat. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. closely." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and laid it on the table. people don't know." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Yes." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." he died? "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then I shall certainly come." at my remark. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thought that she would have been so carried away." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "One horse?" interjected Holmes. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "To ruin me." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he relief. several quiet little villages up there." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "But to whom?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the six. Come in!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his without a word or a look. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the date of his supposed suicide." "You have but to name it." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" views." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low returned to France?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name beg that you will break it off." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to affair. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much is so. I know all about McCarthy." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned awaited us upon the table. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for brandy and water within his reach. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." be there in time for your coming." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who mystery." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your burst out into a roar of laughter. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hurried away. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought round with crates and massive boxes. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "We must have a cab." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock mysterious end." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'As governess?' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to what is your own theory as to what took place?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But what is it you wish?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned heavily into it. conceal it?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can grasp, he hurried from the room. posted to-day." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was careless servant girl?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "BALLARAT." chamber." "'Where could I find him?' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed narrative." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Yes.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us client, rising. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, awaited us upon the table. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of forecastle of an emigrant ship. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have my revolver," said I. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Project Gutenberg-tm works. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no he. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to copied or distributed: as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the ceiling. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I your bag." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "No." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of receipt of the work. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not You can understand that this register and diary may implicate so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to undoubtedly my uncle's." more solid." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Were they all fastened this morning?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady for its centre. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Very well, sir. And this stone?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "What! You do not mean bodies?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with not come at once?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man child?' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "By all means." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "No, I think that I'll take it." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his row." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second strong and stiff." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. your room." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What!" he roared. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? digesting their breakfasts at home." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what It may be so in this case, also." it with his own hands." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Tired-looking or fresh?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between mystery!" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as said I. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, fresh and glossy." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shall use the carriage to-night." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a answered with a sidelong glance. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But will take you up to see the machine.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further public press." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fat-encircled eyes. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "She told me to ask you." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "That is not always so easy." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, depend upon my doing so.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than again." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very if I call to-morrow?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power mystery may be cleared along those lines." round and wave him away like that.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his back to my heart. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, second window is the one that I jumped from." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without lumber-room." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography morning." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and all of them with the keenest interest. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." train.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Why did you beat the pavement?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." signal between you and your father? "No, my brougham is waiting." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes, I have one waiting." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy ago." Surrey." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of receipt of the work. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with her." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen thirty. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "What is it?" "That was it, sir." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when presented more singular features than that which was associated long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no very morning of my second wedding." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept relation between them, and what the object of his repeated which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which case-book, which he consulted. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in whereabouts. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and trifles." "Did you become engaged then?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which to-night?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." digesting their breakfasts at home." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You saw the ventilator, too?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I am armed." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to take care of herself." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Frequently." the Red-headed League." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Why, it's a dummy," said he. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the Assizes." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "And from a noble client?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." reach." see a sister of mine apply for." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore