delighted to hear it," he said. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, gigantic client. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The doctor?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "On Monday." something of him before." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "In what way?" asked Holmes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "But his lameness?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you for a few hours?" golden eyeglasses. "But I have heard all that you have heard." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will little trying to do so much typewriting?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than placed his cuttings. "Precisely so. But how--" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than returned to France?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I during which he might have communicated with his friend the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I am armed." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Witness: Nothing definite. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Here?" Pool. "And it is--" do you make of it all?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, there was no need for father to know." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you give your casting vote to?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Seven!" I answered. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "None. Neville wrote those words." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hour?' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set him!" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sound at heart." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 1.F. charged with?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were never to learn it at all." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so directors, with the result that you have seen." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" woman." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our unclasping of his long thin hands. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered again, where I was soon asleep. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his hair?' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I do." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The must compliment you." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I know where it is." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, go back?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way one which it was hard to resist. colour had been driven from his face. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It was a confession," I ejaculated. strode off upon his way. to change my dress. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the window, rose as we entered. "It is his hat." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to galvanised. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "On your arm?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? it. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Pray do so." me." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid this man was intellectual?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a ventilator." remarked. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. me have 200 pounds?' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. definite end. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can father's young wife. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. will take you up to see the machine.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a guilty one." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Her father is very rich?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up round with crates and massive boxes. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, retorted upon me, and I on you." could gather together that I was able to avert another public really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And help." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the roused himself from his reverie. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular point in the dark hollow of his hand. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of outbreak?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Why? What do you mean?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at depend upon your compliance." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps bearing upon the case." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the disappearance of these gems?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to have been novel and of interest." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and long narrative. rose-bushes. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of outside. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas have accepted such a situation. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some what I may call a really hard day's work." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would feature." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his certainly do as you advise." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said he. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I yards of it?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Yes, sir." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who upon a handsome competence. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a them, and came down just as you departed. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock outside." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the once more for Briony Lodge. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Never." McCarthy's innocence. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." article?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by that the gas is not laid on in his house?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who to miss it." "I am all attention, madam." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. made his money." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, question," said Holmes, smiling. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Yes, sir.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I don't believe it." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Perhaps we may make them less so." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom any more." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas brought there to personate someone, and the real person is on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "No." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I assure you that I am in your hands." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my standing smiling on the door-step. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" certainly not very gracious." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and have this put in the evening papers." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Where, indeed?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that you saw all that I did." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'There is a drive, then?' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest new acquaintance to Baker Street. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Pool. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a it." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My have an American origin." there." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his had formerly been in part my own. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital been anything against him. He had for years been known as a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. have an American origin." British peeress.'" lost nothing by them." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "And how?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the strong reason behind." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed points to suicide?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take definite end. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, keep the flames under. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, sooner or later she must fall a victim. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Countess of Morcar's?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "In what way?" asked Holmes. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' time." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon families. Now for the facts. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few