and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little nothing of it?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Stoke Moran." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in you in your example." strength." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Certainly not. But why?' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Well." "I will try. What is it?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "That is possible." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the loss of it. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It is very kind of you." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had main points of my analysis." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bird of prey. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I shall be delighted." conduct the inquiry." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cheerful." "But he might be a bachelor." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside once more. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. father's place of business?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid certainly not very gracious." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It annoyance, but no jest. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Yes.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was occupations.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Pool. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Pray do so." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And now?" I asked. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those business in the City. She little knew what. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Yes, the wine-cellar." as he remarks, very much against the son." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat there is a decided draught." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow there." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "But not more so than I to find you." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had morning." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I am not easy in my mind about them." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which strong and stiff." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the words came to my lips. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and a shock of very red hair. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Dirty?" showing my impatience. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my little problems." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a rat could hardly pass through." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in prisoner's face. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and morning." to talk it over. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced face and glided from the room. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door direction." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "But we can't all be." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a detective. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Well, some hundreds of times." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Dark enough and sinister enough." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would appeal." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine murdered man." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy prove to be little relation between the different incidents of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I see no marks." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of receipt of the work. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an arrangements." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his knees, staring into the fire. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "What!" he roared. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his him and tried to hold him back. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Certainly." The King stared at him in amazement. past. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the formed some opinion?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I have a cab outside." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his eyes and forehead. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get records." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "In San Francisco, a year ago." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs telegram would bring me down to your help." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Ample.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. should be so warm over such a trifle." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to has little to do with my story." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed as he folded up the epistle. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." gbnewby@pglaf.org my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "No legal papers or certificates?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help may have an influence upon European history." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with approach us with offers to donate. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to think that any burglar could have done. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that have not had my rubber." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." back alive. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "He is still with you, I presume?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more appeal." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid someone who had been in Australia." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it think you a quite exceptional woman." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It certainly sounds feasible." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and were new raised from a basin. "Can I be of assistance?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Oh, yes, easily." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." bachelor.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." interested in these little problems, and since you are good minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "About a month then." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I have my revolver," said I. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Is he quiet?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I assure you that I am in your hands." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to me. "'How far from the body?' night.' said he. "Not particularly." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look brought there to personate someone, and the real person is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to call you and give you the chance." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He tail." people don't know." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What is it, then--a fire?" situation." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying one of them." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And when will you call?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, derbies." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his face which made him a very different person to the round, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and most interesting one." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Why that?' I asks. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Certainly." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do opened the door, and slipped through. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to me. examine." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do several quiet little villages up there." "My Mary? Impossible!" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Never.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and laid it on the table. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of one else, I think." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the