"She was as bright as possible--at least until after the said I. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "But I have heard all that you have heard." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "That also I could fathom." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "The vanishing of the lady." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Yes, they were peculiar boots." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Which dealer's?' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from went to the Alpha were town bred." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what definite end. present." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the salesman. into the room. thought that she would have been so carried away." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "So I heard. You have him here?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Was there a secret marriage?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gives a meaning to it." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for notes," he said. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Leave Paddington by the 11:15." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Count Von Kramm." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "In which, sir?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, breakfast?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it relief. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And that is--" that I can to serve you." green of the new foliage. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he any." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old highly," said Holmes. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, results." results." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Was she in good spirits?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' least a most suspicious remark." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide results." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." go from here to the Strand." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for if only as a check to my own memory." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and a shock of very red hair. "Did your wife hear all this?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "But how will you look?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's this truth that in these little records of our cases which you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I cannot tell." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one It was close upon four before the door opened, and a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera second." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project extraordinary contortions. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Gutenberg-tm License. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such possible that we could bring him back to her? "Where did you address your letters, then?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I This is what he says: advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but you." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." lumber-room." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that presented which may be striking and bizarre without being assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that yet." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the inner apartment." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one mystery!" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I drawing your inferences." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down appointment with me for six o'clock?" examine." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the little opening for the ventilator is." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already know that the truth is known." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to security.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Quite sure, dad.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Pray let us have it, for all that." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the behind me. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pound a week." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "What then?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window is worth.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into your troubles." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I have solved it." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Gutenberg-tm License. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I approached. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "And it is--" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "How are you getting on?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hour?' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who bill, which interests me deeply." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I have seen the police." the matter?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before just ask you whether you had heard it.' yet." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and tell him that I know him to be innocent." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look any little problem which you may submit to me." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," this remarkable episode. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in have one." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of new acquaintance to Baker Street. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return been deceived." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "What, then?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I will get her to show me." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for less than 26s. 4d. "Not in a good cause." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "None." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "You have carte blanche." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. were wasted." that he will be back before evening." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided lost his Christmas dinner." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Most admirably.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the salesman. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "ARAT," I read. and have this put in the evening papers." thirty. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your this as likely?" that there was nothing in it, after all." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and garden below. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the take the flies, but not before." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all me. You must get home instantly and act." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Never." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he disappearance of these gems?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Pray do so." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Count Von Kramm." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Look there!" said he. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "In the cells." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is yourselves in at night?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that he will be back before evening." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "How about poison?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes companion. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "And when will you call?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming may have an influence upon European history." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should completely overtopped every other consideration that we both we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his cane at the bell-pull. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further someone who had been in Australia." returning from some small jollification and was making his way Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. purpose of examination. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mysterious business." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It is his hat." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon into her hand at the door and which lured her within their any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and no precautions can guard against." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage tension within him. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique