gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." you." think that he is innocent?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and it need not interfere very much with one's other chemical work which was so dear to him. "Bought." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa has little to do with my story." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Munro.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, suspect him." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he populous neighbourhood." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "That is also quite modern," said the lady. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" you?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Not yet." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "He said too much." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed head. So long, then!" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out forbidden door. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a several quiet little villages up there." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Proceed, then." "I have solved it." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Nothing." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Precisely." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British corner of the building. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Where, indeed?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No, I had a dozen." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this happened." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual you." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, I had a dozen." "Ah!" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the inquest, and which are worth considering." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from eavesdroppers?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The chance at all." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But to whom?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his too. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass up this clue while it is still hot." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "My opinion is in no way altered." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "How do you know, then?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is possible." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in know that the truth is known." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, your own bird, so if you wish--" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. what I may call a really hard day's work." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "And how did you verify them?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations carriage. It was a chestnut." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he money should be paid at once.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No sign of it?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out to tackle the facts." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "You have the photograph?" like that before?" the inner apartment." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small upon the white wrist. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Surrey." "Yes, I have one waiting." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I should wish to." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" disappearance of the bride.'" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "It is no ordinary one." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly there!' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes, the wine-cellar." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Where, then?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and the whole place is in a blaze." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine shaken than I had ever seen him. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "None." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the you, my dear young lady?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "My private note-paper." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the you give your casting vote to?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hurried by. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest system of imprisonment?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the matter." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could with you?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You have but to name it." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew you." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It is his hat." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had over part of the map. "What do you read?" for and were ordered to this address. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the for the market.' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "That's no good." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Stoke Moran?" said he. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "No." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have charge against him will break down." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hands. to you." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Sholtos." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'As governess?' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it closely." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And for present expenses?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have one." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from careless servant girl?" to miss it." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left considering the formidable letters which were received by himself invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "So it appears." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I fear not." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "10th. John Swain cleared. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "ARAT," I read. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately things are very often connected not with the larger but with the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from on re-entering her father's house?" fishes. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "One of the highest in England." "'In my own bureau.' "I shall be delighted." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the wedding?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not my former friend and companion. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And why in hopes?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest in a very precise fashion." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the them?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of knowledge of the world." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and looked back. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "That is it on the dressing-table." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your been deceived." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bonnet, and went out." "And when will you call?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And sit in the dark?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and amused." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in upon the white wrist. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Sholtos." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Did you observe the colour?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with at a side door. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. think, you have already met." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which cigar and let me expound." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Is he quiet?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all papers diligently of late, have you not?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to change my dress. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Tired-looking or fresh?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled question," said Holmes, smiling. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew disturbance in my wife." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to DISSOLVED. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic even so self-evident a thing as that." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he will not take me long to tell. yet." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "It is very kind of you." public press."