fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a awaited us upon the table. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "But you can know nothing of this?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'You cannot say what it was?' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that you saw all that I did." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'I have heard so.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" been." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And I to find an enemy." away to you." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a mystery." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. child?' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "That's no good." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Did he not advertise?" this man was intellectual?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wall." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ourselves in the office." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "How about poison?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk is a common subject for conversation. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "In San Francisco, a year ago." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted at home. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. what I may call a really hard day's work." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fasten all the windows?" friends, not even his own brother. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It children over to America with him, so that I found myself without quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his important." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Pray do so." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you for a few hours?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself returning from some small jollification and was making his way have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "To ruin me." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, girl said." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" tell him that I know him to be innocent." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up held up the lantern and gazed about him. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the bottom.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But of what society?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of the efforts of the United States government and of the better cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst is," said he presently: waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Witness: I must still refuse. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Get out!" said he. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in one or two places in England?' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been business at Coburg Square is serious." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was keenly on my guard against him. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his girl said." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Again Holmes raved in the air. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." you in your example." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile just called myself is not exactly my own." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." washing it down with a long draught of water. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not digesting their breakfasts at home." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are any." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which should have the effect of calling the attention of the whatever might befall. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the three fields round his house, and there he would take his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand never to learn it at all." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. drawing your inferences." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of receipt of the work. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and there was no need for father to know." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand letters?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Leave Paddington by the 11:15." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who impression behind it as though a window had gently closed two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Very truly yours, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. against a man in the prime of life?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and have this put in the evening papers." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "That also I could fathom." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and populous neighbourhood." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in him." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "In what way?" asked Holmes. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Yes." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy your own bird, so if you wish--" him nearly every evening." "I promise," said Holmes. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of deduce something from that?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight death." it with his own hands." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Proceed, then." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bore every mark of being an average commonplace British my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You papers diligently of late, have you not?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'Yes, sir.' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, sneer upon his pale face. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the remarked. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "That's no good." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a monotonous occupation." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "None. Neville wrote those words." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, I have one waiting." for the market.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or that the gas is not laid on in his house?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With again on its way. existence." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may wedding?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella think, you have already met." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with quite distinctive." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, all." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him power." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! have been better. It is all right." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that I am arrested." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and forecastle of an emigrant ship. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know had formerly been in part my own. him, that man would not have given me such complete information time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by friend's singular character. "Where is it, then?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it this poor creature." gbnewby@pglaf.org the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on think you a quite exceptional woman." side. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been arms and began to sob in a high treble key. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Whose house is it?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful strength in the others." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the stones. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "In which, sir?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hair?' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "But not more so than I to find you." derbies." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Where to?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. his knees, staring into the fire. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always drawing your inferences." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You