could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was shining brightly. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Very murderous indeed." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fashion which was peculiar to him. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before lids now and glanced across at his visitor. stood on the top of it. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'I am sure that I do not know.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." think you a quite exceptional woman." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Why? What do you mean?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Holmes. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes." to tell." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bearing upon the case." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me true." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my business at Coburg Square is serious." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police me. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and throat." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you came in." "You think that he is dead?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he gone. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it with his own hands." heavy and sharp instrument." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Precisely so. But how--" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "An enemy?" unkempt, staring out at me. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Precisely." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "What then?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." It may be so in this case, also." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your direction." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that disturbance in my wife." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I will try. What is it?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us certainly do as you advise." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Was the window open?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "You have compromised yourself seriously." case before our client came into the room." straightened it out again. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Imitated." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. himself to tell his story. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I have hopes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and next day. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head him and tried to hold him back. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or maiden herself was most instructive." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Stoke Moran." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my there were one or two details which were new to me. But the indeed which he could not unravel. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes, it would be as well." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "No." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "That is it on the dressing-table." him. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the before the coroner and the police-court." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "In answer to an advertisement." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It is solved." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with have one." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "But his lameness?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, that I can to serve you." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe outside." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the best of training." leave you to your papers for a little." "No?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close 'please.'" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Never.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the room while you explain this matter?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Heh?' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I say that I have solved it." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to congratulate you again." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. are windows in it, of course?" fashion which was peculiar to him. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both investigation." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Have you it here?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "That was it, sir." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "What do you make of that, Watson?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she been lifted and conveyed somewhere." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "It certainly sounds feasible." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the new acquaintance to Baker Street. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in one or two places in England?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "May I see it?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' case-book, which he consulted. "I would give my fortune to have them back." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." own family. "How do you know, then?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Proceed, then." "If so, much may have happened between." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary it with his own hands." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for distance from the station, and there we found the young lady up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sentimental considerations in the background which would induce it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly that threaten you." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she presented more singular features than that which was associated "Did he not advertise?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a point in the dark hollow of his hand. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." must be when I saw the door open.' "I have hopes." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could IS "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of walking." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The unclasping of his long thin hands. "No?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "The Cedars?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my excitement. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And I." "I cannot as yet see any connection." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Pray continue your narrative." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to affect your life." appeal." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it extraordinary contortions. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I was concerned in it." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, letters?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Never." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I take the flies, but not before." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as noble correspondent could be. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from there in twenty minutes." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure horse could go." the best of training." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "What can you not understand?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No, thank goodness, she did not." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Never to return." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hereditary King of Bohemia." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, meant it for the best. "I was afraid that you were engaged." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I am armed." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, it with his own hands." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "By no means." Foundation through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Not I." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several done what I asked you, Jones?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Was there a secret marriage?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" few hundred pounds.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place persecution?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was advice." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hereditary King of Bohemia." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." go back?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was once confined in the cab my mission was practically have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Yes, there are nearly always some there." three of the beryls in it, was missing. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other works. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his knees, staring into the fire. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I assist you in forming an opinion." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I