"Will you go?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. people don't know." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all towards the blaze. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to entirely lost his self-respect." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, she might be summoned. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked breakfast and whispered something to her husband. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a very grave face. "And what then?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the giving me time to thank him. of his shoulders. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I leave." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was DAMAGE. Project Gutenberg-tm works. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Yes, it was gone.' whatever might befall. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in the port of London." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the think, you have already met." "It looks newer than the other things?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed bell. Holmes whistled. despair." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It daring than any effort of the imagination." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "It surprised me." "Have you it here?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and capable of preserving a secret.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "The landlord of the Alpha." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I man. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "That is it on the dressing-table." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, his cane at the bell-pull. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "By all means." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Street. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Who by?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Pray tell us what has happened to you." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shall use the carriage to-night." to his chemical studies. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, see me here to avoid scandal." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather our word." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Ten will be early enough." "'As governess?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! late!' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I think that I could be of assistance to you." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of yourselves in at night?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Has he come with you to-night?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that thin legs towards the fire. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at call for it in person on Monday morning.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and envelope. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I six. Come in!" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the few hundred pounds.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable all?" "Yes." For additional contact information: and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of the one which your family is now devouring." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. me. You must get home instantly and act." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Dirty?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. yet." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "At half-wages, in fact." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" orange pips. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it it were putty." about. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which hereditary King of Bohemia." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to tell." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to surprise her." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "To ruin me." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "By all means." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had died away into the silence from which it rose. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And how have you succeeded?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. despair." case before our client came into the room." the address that was given us in the advertisement. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an answered with a sidelong glance. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his what I may call a really hard day's work." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little strong and stiff." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we photograph?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And why in hopes?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Not in a good cause." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "He slept on the premises." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "When did it break out?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "By no means." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Certainly." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how arrangements." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a been." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the coronet at all injured?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "He is still with you, I presume?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And the cigar-holder?" into the bag, and made for the door. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Farm upon the left." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect it. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and I shall be with you presently." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in were wasted." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are like that before?" "VIOLET HUNTER." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Was she in good spirits?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are correct than the official force." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. will he say when he returns?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of key of the affair now." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very when your master had gone out." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fuss that is made over them." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gone. affair. already referred to. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It bachelor.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It missed him, then?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, garden below. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY derbies." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" just called myself is not exactly my own." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Your presence might be invaluable." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off assist you in forming an opinion." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Why did you beat the pavement?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our on re-entering her father's house?" digesting their breakfasts at home." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his had died away into the silence from which it rose. will be renamed. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You have a clue?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure started for the Temple to see my husband. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It surprised me." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then morning." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face overpowering excitement and concern. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I beg pardon." miles off. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I think that it is very probable." one of them." "'Where to?' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so III. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I beg pardon." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "No." have I gained?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is a common subject for conversation. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He said too much." Eyford." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "She will not sell." "Was there a secret marriage?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between front of the hall door has given its name to the place. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Doctor, of the paper and the date." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Not social, then?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "One of the highest in England." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police round with crates and massive boxes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the driver. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house,