brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had house for five minutes.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "She walked into the breakfast-room." you." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Where did he live, then?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "That is not always so easy." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, to his chemical studies. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you this as likely?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "No." fishes. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either man. was lame." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I congratulate you again." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, any little problem which you may submit to me." conclusions. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could get her out of the way." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we had died away into the silence from which it rose. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What! a murderous attack?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head entirely devoid of interest." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "In answer to an advertisement." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Certainly, madam." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "We have tried and failed." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." during that time.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Won't it ring?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "She walked into the breakfast-room." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is will he say when he returns?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Surrey." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I cannot think." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the window, rose as we entered. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Yes." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, leave you to your papers for a little." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the a suggestive one." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "If so, much may have happened between." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "There are none." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A throat." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lids now and glanced across at his visitor. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon question," said Holmes, smiling. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his secret." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And what did you learn from him?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons there were one or two details which were new to me. But the bare slabs of marble. keep the flames under. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't written. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It is true that I have been generally successful." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to a light-house. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Entirely.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much or in danger--" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat three of the beryls in it, was missing. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of the way of danger. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his how narrow had been my escape. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the south-west, I see." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had there in twenty minutes." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his eat it." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "She will not sell." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Does that suggest anything?" License. You must require such a user to return or may have an influence upon European history." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to following enigmatical notices: Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps them, and came down just as you departed. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back persecution?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Nothing." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party charged with?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open do.' fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and looked back. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are writer." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to talk it over. "Dr. Becher's." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "How many? I don't know." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "My stepfather's business papers." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of not personally threatened." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after business at Coburg Square is serious." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but This is what he says: Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying heavy and sharp instrument." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was congenial hunt. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Certainly not.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. name is different." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "How did you deduce the select?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, know what is wrong with it.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice particular state visit http://pglaf.org wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And now?" I asked. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Your sister is dead, then?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Upon what point?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email rose-bushes. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no made him keep the appointment." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the new acquaintance to Baker Street. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "What is it?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." like gravel from a pit.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to lost his Christmas dinner." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "How did you trace it, then?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. row." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "No." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the events, Mr. Windibank!" away into the river." imbecility!" he cried. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tear off another piece?' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part had died away into the silence from which it rose. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon a handsome competence. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, but only for you and me." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as corner of the building. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The doctor?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend compunction about shooting them down." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when could gather together that I was able to avert another public the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows spark where all is dark to me." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "And why?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "But you have hopes?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew sneer upon his pale face. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which conduct the inquiry." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and a shock of very red hair. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I shaken than I had ever seen him. what I may call a really hard day's work." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No, finished." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let retorted upon me, and I on you." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You have carte blanche." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to key of the affair now." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "A call for help, you thought?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And how?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has weighed down with some great anxiety. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. me." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both cheerful." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Tired-looking or fresh?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He there in twenty minutes." see a sister of mine apply for." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. ceremony." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the purpose equally well?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I cannot tell." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'And the work?' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. your equipment. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. address. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the