a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question crime. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is possible." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "If so, much may have happened between." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in was feeling which was the fattest.' man. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. meanly of me." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Of Friday, June 19th." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to miss it." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were exactly what you advise." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with hair?' shaken than I had ever seen him. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same silent! Oh, he will be silent!' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Pray do so." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." views." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The vanishing of the lady." works. See paragraph 1.E below. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The murder was done with it." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the new acquaintance to Baker Street. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned said I. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I have it here in my museum." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a spare." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You saw the ventilator, too?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK hurried by. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, hour?' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have morning." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I cannot tell." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Where, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. dead, shall be safe with us." remarked. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual murdered man." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I do." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Then let me do so?' crackling voice. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was a loud and authoritative tap. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent better grown goose." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the closing the door. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the devil!" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed cigar and let me expound." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Awake, Watson?" he asked. never will be, entirely cleared up. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and the whole place is in a blaze." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It missed him, then?" remarked. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among man. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has His name is Francis Prosper." stammered. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad true." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll said he. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have hopes." "That is possible." "No more words. Get out!" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man heavily into it. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would case-book, which he consulted. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Edgeware Road. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Look there!" said he. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" back alive. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such past. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Witness: I must still refuse. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his huge brown hands. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' chemical work which was so dear to him. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up http://gutenberg.net/license). been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend if she died from some sudden fright." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You think so, too?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have 'I should be able to look after that for you.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." locked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good crowd. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had once more. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began purpose equally well?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell had picked up in the wood. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for money should be paid at once.' least a most suspicious remark." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "How did that help you?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I cannot think." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my points to suicide?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I have hopes." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Nothing." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Do you go out much in society?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Could he throw no light?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a again." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account populous neighbourhood." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently wife's character?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to long narrative. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I leave." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old so.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the mystery." cause to be." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Nearly eleven." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Eh? What was that?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The friends, not even his own brother. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began off." fluttered off among the others. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the bird I ate is country bred." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that envelope. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I should wish to." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." success. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has a room. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Miss Holder?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was keenly on my guard against him. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Then let me do so?' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "He said that you could solve anything." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose a room. "One of the highest in England." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with some details as to your case." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." face and glided from the room. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It is no ordinary one." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" all that?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "No." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Pray do so." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But who is he?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sake, don't!" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length know that the truth is known." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am about to be married." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar golden eyeglasses. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Get out!" said he. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I assure you that I am in your hands." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the general public were present, then?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, done what I asked you, Jones?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me miles off. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my into her hand at the door and which lured her within their glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have room had already been engaged for us. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "No?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true conversation I have gathered that they have been married about nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fuss that is made over them." "9th. McCauley cleared. asked. "One?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "At the wedding breakfast." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and in his power. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed daring than any effort of the imagination." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "My Mary? Impossible!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Not at all. I only doubt--' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you do it in twenty minutes!' "It must be recovered." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other begun to whiten, even as mine has." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was not a bird to be seen there. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the second window is the one that I jumped from."