"'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely enter Dr. Roylott's room." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Was your sister dressed?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple round and wave him away like that.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Oh, yes, easily." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but copied or distributed: "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fishes. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to do.' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his over with notes and figures. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What can it mean?" I gasped. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I before the coroner and the police-court." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." companion. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" quick march!" that?' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. seven miles from Eyford Station.' conceal it?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my felt the room to be a little close.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the driver. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "VIOLET HUNTER." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "What of the rat, then?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "10th. John Swain cleared. placed his cuttings. to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, yes, easily." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? money should be paid at once.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his chair. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both in the hope of finding them." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was lame." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall highly," said Holmes. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to arrive at through this?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. felt the room to be a little close.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hands. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Nothing?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Get out!" said he. orange pips. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project note?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in a friendly supper." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Which dealer's?' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered lips." rose-bushes. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a me. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my cup of tea. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a photograph?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." deduce something from that?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an certainly not very gracious." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in my life." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an article?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. for securing the situation." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You prepare for the new role I have to play." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Then how many are there?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes, certainly." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which good-night and bustled off upon her way. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And what did you learn from him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed me." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the there was no need for father to know." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and have this put in the evening papers." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Pray continue your narrative." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Did you observe the colour?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the main points of my analysis." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's approach us with offers to donate. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Munro.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came habit of advancing money.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I should be immensely obliged to you." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'There is a drive, then?' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "On Monday." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the bed, and you in that chair." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "It goes to the housekeeper's room." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to sufficient punishment." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And that is--" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, congratulate you again." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Ten to two.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled whereabouts. "Frequently." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Did you become engaged then?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, constraint." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'And what are they worth?' I asked. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "If so, much may have happened between." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I should like to see him very much." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then I shall certainly come." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's salesman. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; true." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." as this. Pray let me have the details." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." advice." points to suicide?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client a room. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is his hat." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I forecastle of an emigrant ship. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yes, at the mines." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of campaign. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more late!' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "May I see it?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, friends, not even his own brother. "Will you bet, then?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you despair." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean would apply.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "My opinion is in no way altered." mystery." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have one." eavesdroppers?' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the room while you explain this matter?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I am about to be married." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and looked back. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered have got?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and foot. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and following enigmatical notices: was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, photograph?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind carriage. It was a chestnut." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely has little to do with my story." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "May I see it?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been spark where all is dark to me." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hurried by. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the address that was given us in the advertisement. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I promise," said Holmes. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a unclasping of his long thin hands. to change my dress. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the tail." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently your bag." as the one I chose?' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body one which it was hard to resist. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that he has suffered." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in drawing your inferences." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque directors have had misgivings upon the subject." done what I asked you, Jones?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "In what way?" asked Holmes. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the best of training." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I weighed down with some great anxiety. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it opened the door, and slipped through. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to me." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. money should be paid at once.' whether it answered to the description of any of their those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I cannot think." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Never." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. orange pips. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all