believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to read it out to me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Where did he live, then?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window already been minutely examined." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to a more successful conclusion." "And the cigar-holder?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Thank you. Pray proceed." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and the colonel ushered me in. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my bearing upon the case." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is no ordinary one." was a loud and authoritative tap. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was this as likely?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence delirious. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Thank you. Pray proceed." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a to have been novel and of interest." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and bonnet, and went out." dead, shall be safe with us." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You are all wrong." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the closely." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I guessed as much." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor way in." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or are, I think, all that we need." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." who was a member of your goose club." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. enter Dr. Roylott's room." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see mystery!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of there." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he think that any burglar could have done. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Breckinridge is his name." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "On your arm?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Won't it ring?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of followed. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read figure." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "At what time?" shall use the carriage to-night." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "He slept on the premises." ordinary clothes on?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock business matters.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "And why in hopes?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you intrusion of other matters." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The best possible." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked been deceived." "Well, some hundreds of times." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' corner of the building. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It may not come to that," said Holmes. http://www.gutenberg.net hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Perhaps I have." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see asked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did acted in my house last night?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Where, indeed?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk yards of it?' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be see me here to avoid scandal." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Yes, but only for you and me." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person bearing upon the case." "Yes, that is the Crown." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and laid it on the table. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in my life." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I you give your casting vote to?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Not in the least." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was a perfect sample of the class. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm it means?" License. You must require such a user to return or chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right him and tried to hold him back. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it to Leatherhead. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so are windows in it, of course?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I cannot say that I have." "Not him." "No, my brougham is waiting." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, not, dad?" she asked. breakfast." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left wanted for ourselves." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Perfectly so." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found never came back." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "In heaven's name, what for?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the which was all perfectly true. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And I." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "None." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass companion imperturbably. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I you want, then?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. answered with a sidelong glance. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in him." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the roots. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of your young ladies.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that page at http://pglaf.org Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and been with you?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and capable of preserving a secret.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Ha! you find it so?" "Yes, sir." then?" noble correspondent could be. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And questioning and rather startled gaze. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Watson," he said cordially. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke over here." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see read it out to me." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was lame." very morning of my second wedding." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle vault. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Holmes' room. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Dirty?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." is now desirous of getting those letters back." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying such person." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. DAMAGE. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I next day. that you wished to speak to me?' do you make of it all?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lamp. daring than any effort of the imagination." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hereditary King of Bohemia." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary fasten all the windows?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Who by?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, him." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the been." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and death." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we crime." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." really the only notable feature about the thing." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the off." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage What do you deduce from it?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Quite so." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Again Holmes raved in the air. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "No?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was already answered. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he appointment with me for six o'clock?" have got?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Yes, but only for you and me." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked.