but preventing her from injuring another. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I was sure that I might rely on you." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Yes, all." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My distance from the station, and there we found the young lady back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to-night." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But who is he?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent within hail.' the stones. photograph?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever way: "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our soul! here is her carriage at the door." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general danger is over." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I only touch the interest." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "And is that all?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a works. so.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'And what salary do you ask?' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' may have an influence upon European history." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to change my dress. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the discontent upon his features. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But how?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I cannot say that I have." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And the murderer?" are, I think, all that we need." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an upon the shelf for the interim." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Precisely." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The landlord of the Alpha." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall it were putty." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they not, dad?" she asked. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And I to find an enemy." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage gone. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs very old mansion. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But you have hopes?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sutherland?" yet." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the side-table." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lips." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'I shall certainly be there.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. fait accompli?" at my remark. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the iron safe, which he closed upon it. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'And the work?' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Have you her photograph?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the question. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Yes." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, best detective that ever lived. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Of what?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "We must have a cab." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" your co-operation." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "It is solved." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Not in a good cause." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But how did you gain them?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the house with me." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. his forehead." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I a room. it means?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Here?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired tear off another piece?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the best of training." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "And why?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect narrative." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Where is it, then?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress room had already been engaged for us. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Bought." will not take me long to tell. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, public press." gbnewby@pglaf.org broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And how did you verify them?" "Yes, it would be as well." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest least a most suspicious remark." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project putting in the horse. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and I shall be with you presently." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "To ruin me." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for went to the Alpha were town bred." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Yes, all." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the vault. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside it." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And I." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and opened the door, and slipped through. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And that is--" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common could not account in any way for the presence of the missing weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. individual and becomes the badge of a society." said he. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. call for it in person on Monday morning.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes, sir." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just God! What an exposure! What can I do?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me throat." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." some terrible trap for her." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove wife's character?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." McCarthy." maid will bring up your coffee." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Serpentine Avenue. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I am sure." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had once more. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "To the police?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, mysterious end." laugh and put his lips to my ear. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, congratulate you again." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And why?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Where could I find him?' conduct the inquiry." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical appeal." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have one." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pound a week." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the morning and make my own way in the world.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" thirty. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up may never be exposed to such a temptation." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all third from London." his wife has ceased to love him." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Thank you. And your address?" for securing the situation." dates and names. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "That was it, sir." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a distinguish the words: Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of the way of danger. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. My friend smiled. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their overpowering excitement and concern. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "It's nothing of the kind." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and man. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through interests were the same as his." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Thank you. Pray proceed." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really