say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from on in his house." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Frequently." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Breckinridge is his name." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "She walked into the breakfast-room." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his room. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Texas, I think." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Young McCarthy must be got off, however." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." fled together." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I think that it is very probable." better in every way that they should make their position a little wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us presented more singular features than that which was associated One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right everything which you would wish to know." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Countess of Morcar's?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I will not look." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and dear old homesteads?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." some city in a dream. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." breakfast?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the best of training." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not you." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something signal between you and your father? Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his face which made him a very different person to the round, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the later, upon the night of May 2nd." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes, sir." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the room while you explain this matter?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. experiences." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from depend upon your compliance." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But he might be a bachelor." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." reach." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that village inn over there?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No, finished." my former friend and companion. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Where to?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If because she had spent so short a time in this country that she on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the best of training." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. overpowering excitement and concern. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began remarked. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with towards the blaze. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots guilty parties." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of rat could hardly pass through." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his face. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "To the police?" lost nothing by them." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three During two years I have had three consultations and one small of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into tapping his fingers upon the table. "No." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Pool. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly who was a member of your goose club." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he read it out to me." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm undoubtedly my uncle's." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" cigars in their mouths. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless had died away into the silence from which it rose. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his looking up at the numbers of the houses." these bleak autumnal evenings." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his fortune, and I went back to pa. "He might." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "And why?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. stammered. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, already referred to. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in next day. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the nonsense.' Serpentine Avenue. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower used to be." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Not social, then?" should be taken.' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon was feeling which was the fattest.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was be best to do. "Pray let us have it, for all that." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" both be extremely obliged.' train.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "So I have heard." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help anything to do with the matter?" legal crime." "Entirely." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood were wasted." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I forbidden door. "To an end?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It himself to hunt down. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'I shall certainly be there.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I was afraid that you were engaged." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that?' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER happened." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Her father is very rich?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'I shall certainly be there.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or over here." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "She will not sell." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the yet." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I am following you closely," I answered. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "From his hat?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "What will you do, then?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Stoke Moran." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured It may be so in this case, also." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the definite end. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could gives a meaning to it." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, other means.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "She walked into the breakfast-room." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid himself to tell his story. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon gentleman's clothes. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it were putty." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'I have already given you my word.' interest. They are important, you understand, without being have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he were wasted." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "They are typewritten," I remarked. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for up this clue while it is still hot." or in danger--" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I never have." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It is solved." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed at once, for I have only half an hour." words came to my lips. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that I can to serve you." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House out." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "My own seal." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, affair. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales skylight. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" them?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and I shall be with you presently." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "What have you to say now?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "And now?" I asked. "Your presence might be invaluable." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But how?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than furiously. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I cannot imagine." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "She walked into the breakfast-room." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that point in the dark hollow of his hand. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "None." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view will find little credit to be gained out of this case." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the strong reason behind." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Only as much as we can deduce." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my with some details as to your case." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key,