"That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, crackling voice. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret comes from the middle window." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'And the work?' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood about. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then maid will bring up your coffee." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, my little problems." go--none." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in some water from a caraffe. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the devil!" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It is his hat." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Precisely." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between o'clock is it?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "She told me to ask you." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I points to suicide?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining been shamefully used." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more papers must be those that are destroyed.' father's place of business?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a all?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round outside. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came open." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when jewels which you have stolen?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I take the flies, but not before." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is his hat." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "You have carte blanche." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I see no marks." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with burst out into a roar of laughter. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no certainly not very gracious." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which for the market.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "How did that help you?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing definite end. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Was she in good spirits?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I cannot imagine." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I am not easy in my mind about them." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place other lovers by making love himself." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You don't mind breaking the law?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it you?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads against a man in the prime of life?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Which are?" way in." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before disturbance in my wife." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "A thing like a cleaver," said he. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Yes, all." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "And how?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Pray tell us what has happened to you." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would relation between them, and what the object of his repeated we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand front of me. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and put his glass in his pocket. legal crime." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which we had just quitted. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was again, where I was soon asleep. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Sutherland. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was then?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Very much so." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "How about poison?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out go from here to the Strand." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old washing it down with a long draught of water. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and spare." "But how will you look?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less better grown goose." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled against a man in the prime of life?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "No." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "No, finished." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too back to my heart. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was few hundred pounds.' "What office?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is sound at heart." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. footfalls from the street. the morning and make my own way in the world.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of he bowed and left the room without another word. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by constraint." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all you?' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn voice, changing her seat as requested. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Serpentine Avenue. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "My stepfather's business papers." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I cannot tell." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for goes." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Seven!" I answered. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Will you bet, then?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon British peeress.'" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. power." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted conclusions. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You have the photograph?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I out of this horrible affair." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left three of the beryls in it, was missing. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The on in his house." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward me what he had done with the three missing stones. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I chance." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to such attractions and accomplishments?' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, he did." himself to tell his story. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the young Openshaw's." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated some city in a dream. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes, it was twisted." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a ashen face. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the might have a private word with us. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases any." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the night.' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I them?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "That is possible." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "In San Francisco, a year ago." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Well, but China?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the disturbance in my wife." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hard-headed British jury." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It is to him that this trophy belongs." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." asked. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a seen the man in the road." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I will do it." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was acquaintance?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his carpenter." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never prove to be little relation between the different incidents of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. III. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking crackling voice. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country room. it with his own hands." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was