deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Look there!" said he. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided opened a pocket-book and took out a note. this man was intellectual?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while hard-headed British jury." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage own family. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was astonishment. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of giving me time to thank him. chair. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the been with you?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Why serious?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but memory. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn walking." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Yesterday." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him, that man would not have given me such complete information are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gone. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about unkempt, staring out at me. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Certainly,' I answered. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with see me here to avoid scandal." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." him. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the clang of the bell. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Yes." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which During two years I have had three consultations and one small but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Why serious?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and all of them with the keenest interest. least a fellow-countryman. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you understand?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "No, I think that I'll take it." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the as this. Pray let me have the details." derbies." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "By no means." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Pray tell us what has happened to you." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And when will you call?" events, Mr. Windibank!" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the stable lane now." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Nothing." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very so.' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in the port of London." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike acted in my house last night?" forbidden door. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his into the bag, and made for the door. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I cannot say that I have." "Only as much as we can deduce." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." murdered man." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is heavily into it. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question stalked out of the room. him nearly every evening." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found your most interesting statement." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of been deceived." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "What office?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police breakfast and whispered something to her husband. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "An enemy?" during that time.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to his chemical studies. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what details." sneer upon his pale face. "And when will you call?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out troubles have been weighing upon his mind. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Is he quiet?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I delirious. "You horrify me." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the for its centre. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy ran thus: someone who had been in Australia." "And help." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried annoyance, but no jest. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. union?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "What! a murderous attack?" "And is that all?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we letters?" "Ha! you find it so?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely had died away into the silence from which it rose. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Come in!" said Holmes. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. important." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough your only hope of safety." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I cannot say that I have." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Pope's Court, Fleet Street." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if passage and a tap at the door. the night.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It made him keep the appointment." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sneer upon his pale face. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers happened." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Where to?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" companion. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and no precautions can guard against." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the written, and locked the door of the office after me. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." light and attacked it." your most interesting statement." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "He is dead," cried several voices. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "What! Had he lost his wife?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his back into the street. feature." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge miles off. own family. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Ample.' absorbing." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our him." the coronet at all injured?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "What do you mean?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Nearly eleven." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Was your sister dressed?" remarked. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "You horrify me!" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "But what harm can there be in that?" "But she will refuse." affection." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It is very clear." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I was sure that I might rely on you." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under imbecility!" he cried. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are nothing of it?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his attention." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and conceal it?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I see no marks." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It is a murder, then?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for envelope. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is to tackle the facts." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I should like to see him very much." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Perfectly so." own family. not as remarkable as your advertisement." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Certainly." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Stoke Moran?" said he. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you observed. "You are all wrong." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your question you as to those details which seem to me to be most for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to affect your life." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, like that before?" the south-west, I see." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous cause to be." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should beyond words. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the driver. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "My last client of the sort was a king." "I think that it is very probable." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that you saw all that I did." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Quite sure, dad.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they suspect him." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative burst out into a roar of laughter. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in one or two places in England?' "If I can be of use." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Holmes, the busybody!" chill to my heart. them?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Why serious?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue wall." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, peculiar to him. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the digesting their breakfasts at home." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of