again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" business in the City. She little knew what. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have one." my friend's incisive reasoning. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as noiselessly as she had come. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I do." http://gutenberg.net/license). the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bill, which interests me deeply." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of writers could invent nothing more crude." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Foundation "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray at a side door. this man was intellectual?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the them, and came down just as you departed. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Absolutely?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You have a clue?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! case before our client came into the room." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a little more before I quite committed myself. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such if I call to-morrow?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "He is still with you, I presume?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which it had come upon my father." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the nice household for a young lady." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unclasping of his long thin hands. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very might have a private word with us. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any You can understand that this register and diary may implicate remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a friends, not even his own brother. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I cannot think." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, hardly wander." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What! Had he lost his wife?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Nothing?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the open." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to room had already been engaged for us. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the murdered man." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible over here." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the house with me." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my before, for it was considerably after midnight. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. photograph?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity call you and give you the chance." presume?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Will you bet, then?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fuss that is made over them." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain questionable one." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which them?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Not in the least." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a new duties?' when your master had gone out." "What, then?" "And who is her maid?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking dramatic, in fact." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was this Miss Turner." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Holmes, the busybody!" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The events in question occurred in the early days of my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "My last client of the sort was a king." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to affect your life." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Will you bet, then?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, noble correspondent could be. ventilator." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'And what salary do you ask?' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded posted to-day." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "What! Had he lost his wife?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "What do you make of that, Watson?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I four million human beings all jostling each other within the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "A greater distance to travel." awaited us upon the table. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer one of the states of the Union." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, plantation.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You horrify me!" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed trifles." "'Where to?' "What shall I do?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Then I shall certainly come." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "But the mystery?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one meanly of me." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Yesterday." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of voice. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is touch that coronet?' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving prove to be little relation between the different incidents of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the so-precious time, but come!' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has forbidden door. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'A dozen yards or so.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about important." may have an influence upon European history." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from without a word or a look. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she get the tickets." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the lumber-room." "Well, some hundreds of times." "I will, Miss Turner." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And the murderer?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Your sister is dead, then?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people You want to know what became of those geese?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "None." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to where he stood hid behind the curtain. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted McCarthy." "That is possible." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and your relations to her." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes photograph?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "One of his hands." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the you in your example." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the so-precious time, but come!' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do indeed happy." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first when your master had gone out." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads his eyes and forehead. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Where did you address your letters, then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "So it appears." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very been." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to October 9, 1890. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it in this way: place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to excitement. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said married her." "Where did you address your letters, then?" I leave." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving back to my heart. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? all-comprehensive glances. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to affect your life." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the salesman. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a peculiar to him. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, front of me. "No, distinctly professional." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who it right.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded fluttered off among the others. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, roused himself from his reverie. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's some water from a caraffe. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." tension within him. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough gone. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Your presence might be invaluable." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I answered that I had not. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be affair. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Witness: Nothing definite. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The habit of advancing money.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I or in danger--" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Then I shall certainly come." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "You have but to name it." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the should be so warm over such a trifle." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it with his own hands." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was shining brightly. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view crime. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a good hundred miles off by now." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are again, where I was soon asleep. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. pound a week." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Perhaps I have." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" closely." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have of." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in this as likely?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the driver. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I don't believe it." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we intrusion of other matters." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Stolen, then." your room." started for the Temple to see my husband. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And when will you call?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where