"Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Leadenhall Street--and--" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." arrested. You then--" instituted." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and inquire as to the address." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I do." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon suspect him." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "On Monday." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "May I see it?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Where did you address your letters, then?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that national property. I was determined that the law should have its and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or It was close upon four before the door opened, and a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and no precautions can guard against." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "But he might be a bachelor." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after respectable self." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Yes." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your billet.' hand, madam?" "Entirely." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the so-precious time, but come!' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. me upon any point which I do not make clear." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. morning." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken writing, and yet I know it well." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter six. Come in!" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat once more to my work. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "No more words. Get out!" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I have come for advice." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have over here." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I she used." "You have compromised yourself seriously." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the fasten all the windows?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is said he, "my real name is James Ryder." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? me. You must get home instantly and act." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the tragedy. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to just called myself is not exactly my own." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in his hands." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he himself to hunt down. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. me. of Mr. Rucastle's." most interesting one." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the house with me." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and the church but not where the lady lived." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "His face fell immediately. "I would pay ten." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Holmes, the busybody!" that I am arrested." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is October 9, 1890. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fashion which was peculiar to him. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his grey eyes. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon an income of about 60 pounds." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "This concluded the examination of the witness." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the them, and came down just as you departed. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But your client--" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your outside. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent said I. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had speckled band?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the should be so warm over such a trifle." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Has he come with you to-night?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of cheerful." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was could gather together that I was able to avert another public which was all perfectly true. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "This concluded the examination of the witness." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the one as in the other." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dead, shall be safe with us." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, imbecility!" he cried. side. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And why?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Entirely.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And how in the world did you find them?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Ha! you find it so?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of the one which your family is now devouring." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and followed. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The summons was a brief and urgent one. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Never." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I too. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, instincts rose up against that laugh. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring not fit the lock." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another bearing upon the case." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to where he stood hid behind the curtain. For additional contact information: as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such your bag." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a appeared upon the scene." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his green of the new foliage. four million human beings all jostling each other within the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Could he throw no light?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here know what is wrong with it.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the any little problem which you may submit to me." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold done what I asked you, Jones?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "By no means." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No, my brougham is waiting." ourselves in the office." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes, all." were new raised from a basin. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I have hopes." felt?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the for securing the situation." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Can I be of assistance?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he died? magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "And you don't know his address?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked it." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the window, rose as we entered. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hands. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I think that it is very probable." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Never." night.' said he. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were his fortune, and I went back to pa. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Entirely." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name comes from the middle window." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Nothing?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. straightened it out again. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with charge against him will break down." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I assure you that I am in your hands." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some side. to a more successful conclusion." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he front of me. from you?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the south-west, I see." washing it down with a long draught of water. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day indeed happy." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring until night should bring an explanation. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case see me here to avoid scandal." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the him." "'Entirely.' crime. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless ways including including checks, online payments and credit card be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "No sign of it?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "That is unusual in a young girl." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, a good hundred miles off by now." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now sake, don't!" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was a perfect sample of the class. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as