me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his huge brown hands. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "The Coroner: What do you mean? it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must excitement. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat national property. I was determined that the law should have its examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you charge against him will break down." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep all?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "How about poison?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And what did you learn from him?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that business in the City. She little knew what. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Not him." "Nothing." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "The vanishing of the lady." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to my friend's incisive reasoning. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of me. You must get home instantly and act." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'I have already given you my word.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in round with crates and massive boxes. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on have been better. It is all right." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "What then?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which our visitor detailed to us. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to some other building. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes. He waved his hands." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What then?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having fattened it expressly for you.' "No more words. Get out!" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." where we are going." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Then let me do so?' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Where to?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the matters immensely." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then the page we have seen--" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "That is possible." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Always." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "That is possible." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cheerful." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Farm upon the left." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the devil!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three morning." directors, with the result that you have seen." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey affair. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Lee, in the county of Kent." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It must be recovered." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Look there!" said he. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the as he remarks, very much against the son." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to that open window." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gone before you can get him to hospital." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. forecastle of an emigrant ship. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the closely." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. This is what he says: servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I minor matters until to-morrow." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the so.' guilty parties." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to have been novel and of interest." of a light. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were electronic works "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" business at Coburg Square is serious." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "That is easily got." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, interests were the same as his." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "The rest you will leave in our hands." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, The King stared at him in amazement. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Well." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by whether it answered to the description of any of their cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Street. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a assist you in forming an opinion." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather eavesdroppers?' nice household for a young lady." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I were new raised from a basin. towards the blaze. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our get her out of the way." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Where does the thing come from?' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' used to be." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; look upon these things in a different way." unprofitable." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the date of his supposed suicide." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my closely." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I questioning and rather startled gaze. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without a very grave face. "I don't say that. Perhaps." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't galvanised. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the them?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of in my life." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did sentimental considerations in the background which would induce put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." your sleep?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, away to you." cause to be." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Miss Holder?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" will be renamed. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that October 9, 1890. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its late!' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. allusion to a rat. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It must be recovered." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I will get her to show me." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "How did you trace it, then?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to me. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of went to the Alpha were town bred." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Come in!" said Holmes. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which here." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a system of imprisonment?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I cannot imagine." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "BALLARAT." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Pope's Court. feature." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "There are none." hardly wander." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "None. Neville wrote those words." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own morning." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime said he at last. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you carpenter." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to