Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Where is it, then?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" these bleak autumnal evenings." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Why did you pick him?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows name is different." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the been with you?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped was used.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we cigars in their mouths. second." "My dear Holmes!" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Why, it's a dummy," said he. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I bird of prey. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The landlord of the Alpha." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It looks newer than the other things?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and capable of preserving a secret.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick John Swain, of St. Augustine. maiden herself was most instructive." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Holmes' thin, eager face. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case conversation I have gathered that they have been married about zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the stones. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And how did you verify them?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That is not always so easy." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial other lovers by making love himself." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Will you go?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at becomes even more simple." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was before the coroner and the police-court." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill directly by questioning you." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I will try. What is it?" beyond words. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without meant it for the best. "But you can know nothing of this?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Nothing." annoyance, but no jest. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle problems help me to do so." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "In which, sir?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable along the entire front of the house, with three long windows roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. works. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the had formerly been in part my own. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. nonsense.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a interested in these little problems, and since you are good to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "None." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." answered with a sidelong glance. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think it very unlikely." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "The Coroner: What do you mean? to where he stood hid behind the curtain. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as was used.' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "And how have you succeeded?" locked." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Did you become engaged then?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I cannot think." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he anything to do with the matter?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "That is also quite modern," said the lady. events than those which have happened in my own family." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Breckinridge is his name." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and charge against him will break down." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'And the work?' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped think, you have already met." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank fluttered off among the others. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Why serious?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Yes, sir.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes noise which awoke you from your sleep?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with sooner or later she must fall a victim. have been better. It is all right." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I nodded again. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch astonishment. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before about here speaks of his kindness to him." hardly wander." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. letters?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. said Mr. Holder. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers just ask you whether you had heard it.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Absolutely none." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of believe that I should never have any practice at all. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Yes." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies bonnet, and went out." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence six. Come in!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Holmes' face clouded over. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, he bowed and left the room without another word. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Look there!" said he. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call views." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." page at http://pglaf.org "What is it?" all-comprehensive glances. "So I heard. You have him here?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and no precautions can guard against." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms there." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to meant it for the best. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and himself. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Never." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." or in danger--" chair. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that he will be back before evening." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the better in every way that they should make their position a little "That is also quite modern," said the lady. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. manager. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to are, I think, all that we need." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Surrey." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of him." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Could he throw no light?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "And leave your case unfinished?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not detective. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King wedding?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough hand, madam?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "About a month then." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What I expected to see." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock are, and they are waiting for us." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same from the brougham. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded all?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, distinctly professional." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'I have heard so.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to them?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I don't believe it." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from these bleak autumnal evenings." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a leave you to your papers for a little." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy occurred." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, he died? Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he prove to be little relation between the different incidents of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of certainly not very gracious." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was a loud and authoritative tap. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Where did he live, then?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a salesman. this as likely?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary clanging. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Yes, sir.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "And how did you verify them?" o'clock is it?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Yes, sir.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and public press." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to