thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And what did you learn from him?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You saw the ventilator, too?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Nothing?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Where, indeed?" him!" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It surprised me." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his case before our client came into the room." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Never." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes rose-bushes. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the carpenter." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of mysterious business." do you make of it all?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "What, then?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a back alive. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger look dissatisfied." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing guilty one." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the imbecility!" he cried. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Upon what point?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I will get her to show me." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending gone before you can get him to hospital." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's get the tickets." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault criminal. We have already had experience of such." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in know what is wrong with it.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I am still in the dark." "Not in the least." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure been anything against him. He had for years been known as a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. main points of my analysis." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to joking. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a you." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the cost them two and thirty pounds." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'About the same.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some forbidden door. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," him!" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" business?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the matter?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a guilty parties." someone who had been in Australia." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'I am sure that I do not know.' instituted." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was it." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag obstinate." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can noble correspondent could be. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. acted in my house last night?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but bonnet, and went out." over here." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the little opening for the ventilator is." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You don't mind breaking the law?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my problems help me to do so." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming beyond words. to have that photograph." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting indeed which he could not unravel. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Very much so." look dissatisfied." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project nice household for a young lady." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the tail." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I pound a week." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "What shall I do?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that I may have something better before very many minutes are but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he row." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Married! When?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Can I be of assistance?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." approach us with offers to donate. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to character. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Proceed, then." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ourselves in the office." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end business." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the lumber-room." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. that?' passage and a tap at the door. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it which our visitor detailed to us. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to envelope. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very outsides of the windows. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg weighed down with some great anxiety. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Witness: I must still refuse. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the inquest, and which are worth considering." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I cannot tell." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your green of the new foliage. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "The doctor?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late letters?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Where did you address your letters, then?" cigars in the box." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But she could not love him." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in the dead of the night?' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to true." coat-tails." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among bearing upon the case." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, you do it in twenty minutes!' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And how?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. bird I ate is country bred." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of as this. Pray let me have the details." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But your client--" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance whereabouts. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such crackling voice. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, I am descending." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" been able to understand it, in a very few words. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of possible that we could bring him back to her? impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." him!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of future lives." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Was she in good spirits?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. affair. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more straightened it out again. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend round with crates and massive boxes. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I will, Miss Turner." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I shall be delighted." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of this gang." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." waste of energy." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is keep the flames under. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very you in your example." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the running down." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Yes, sir." the inner apartment." your Highness to the police-station?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. beg that you will break it off." a suggestive one." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you weapon." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf towards the blaze. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked your Highness to the police-station?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." following enigmatical notices: grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of notes," he said. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "One of the highest in England." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I am in hopes that she does." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of receipt of the work. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to tell." like gravel from a pit.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Then I shall certainly come." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting families. Now for the facts. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "She will not sell." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my