room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been stood on the top of it. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." conduct the inquiry." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is solved." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." returned to France?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It was a confession," I ejaculated. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "To an end?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. province." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No, finished." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was it brought him the coronet? for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my yet." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Certainly." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I shall continue with my miserable story. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" assist you in forming an opinion." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, or other trace. But how on earth--" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my congenial hunt. round with crates and massive boxes. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Ha! you find it so?" fire. You quite follow me?" envelope. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the national property. I was determined that the law should have its shall use the carriage to-night." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of stammered. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I should like to see him very much." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to been deceived." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I think that it is very probable." him. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "But his lameness?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that bell. Holmes whistled. more solid." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a suggestive one." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "And now?" He raised his hand. direction." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is figure." the warnings." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever will not take me long to tell. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' future lives." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "To ruin me." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "What do you mean?" village inn over there?" way in everything. for the market.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "You saw the ventilator, too?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be some terrible trap for her." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Not him." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Have you it here?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "One of the highest in England." golden eyeglasses. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which I could not give. He asked for Alice. His name is Francis Prosper." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: round with crates and massive boxes. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large you for a few hours?" served to weaken the effect. "To an end?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had DAMAGE. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes security.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the matter?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "When did it break out?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little on in his house." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united completely overtopped every other consideration that we both therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But she will refuse." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." http://gutenberg.net/license). I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of note-paper. It read in this fashion: be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up asked with his eyes open. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Well." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And is that all?" discontent upon his features. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something him!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw husband's writing, madam." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that I can to serve you." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be quite distinctive." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which an introduction to him?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" allusion to a rat. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw acquaintance?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Literary Archive Foundation "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his she to prove their authenticity?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." joking. off." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wanted for ourselves." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I know where it is." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret hands. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of written. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I you give your casting vote to?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Do you go out much in society?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous gigantic client. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "What! a murderous attack?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Which are?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in copied or distributed: us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily himself. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, dear old homesteads?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "What are they?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, coroner's jury." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shadow pass over his face as I spoke. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did persecution?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For south, for the country is more deserted there." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should conclusions. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate ordinary clothes on?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my This is what he says: "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Here?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I if she died from some sudden fright." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in my life." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, carpenter." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'I am sure if I had known--' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hard-headed British jury." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding fear." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had this final quarrel? "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Certainly." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Perhaps I have." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I I have it here in my museum." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right have accepted such a situation. second." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "10th. John Swain cleared. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The landlord of the Alpha." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. towards the blaze. helping a boy to put up the shutters. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'I have heard so.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must house for five minutes.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "The gentleman I describe." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Ah!" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And why in hopes?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Ten to two.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Now, then, what's the last entry?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope