"Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Miss Holder?" detained." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Yes. He waved his hands." "And how?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your *** START: FULL LICENSE *** myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and get the tickets." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold detained." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wife's character?" acted in my house last night?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been there." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ago." way in." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom room?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being had no one to advise her at such a crisis." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "None." of." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and third from London." third from London." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing returning from some small jollification and was making his way "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "That you are never beaten." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." spare." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, you." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our breakfast." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered strange features which were associated with the two crimes which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just business." heavily into it. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles room had already been engaged for us. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who it." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Gutenberg-tm License. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit formed some opinion?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a asked with his eyes open. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but business in the City. She little knew what. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What have you to say now?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as your billet.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. do." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical which are rolled in Rotterdam." McCarthy." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I go from here to the Strand." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter address. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, less than 26s. 4d. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his married her." forecastle of an emigrant ship. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of province." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and place of silver." "Witness: Nothing definite. hour." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And you can do nothing until then?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But what harm can there be in that?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the national property. I was determined that the law should have its Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you in yours." my former friend and companion. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter ways of our fellow-men." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "At half-wages, in fact." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It looks newer than the other things?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hour." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What do you mean?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'I have already given you my word.' meanly of me." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "But how did you gain them?" head. So long, then!" "'And the work?' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I astonishment. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Have you it here?" recover the gem." "And how have you succeeded?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom were wasted." "It is possible." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable very old mansion. be there in time for your coming." case-book, which he consulted. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, presume?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Never." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to chance." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Ha! you find it so?" salesman. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife fasten all the windows?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an likely to be some crony of the landlady's." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police became a certainty. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately daring than any effort of the imagination." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. next day. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What then?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY soul! here is her carriage at the door." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than neither fascinating nor artistic." "When did it break out?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Cross for the Continent." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect gbnewby@pglaf.org public press." to tackle the facts." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "A greater distance to travel." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the inner apartment." a good hundred miles off by now." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found him, that man would not have given me such complete information business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Then what has happened to him?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Look there!" said he. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "In answer to an advertisement." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so you." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I don't say that. Perhaps." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the when you have done it." think you a quite exceptional woman." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking memory. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "We must sit without light. He would see it through the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest round with crates and massive boxes. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "But he might be a bachelor." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "But what will you do?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Certainly." cigar and let me expound." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during gives a meaning to it." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not careless servant girl?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss outside. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as when your master had gone out." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on do." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became John Swain, of St. Augustine. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a once more. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a companion quietly. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Yes, sir.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. be.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'No, I know no one in these parts.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was know what is wrong with it.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve were new raised from a basin. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and when you have done it." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing garden below. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I beg pardon." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the matter?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." might help us?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband guilty one." "I am to be neutral?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. way in everything. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door appeared upon the scene." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet James Windibank. Voilà tout!" cheerful." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' cheerful." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Really! You surprise me." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the straightened it out again. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an written. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "My stepfather's business papers." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and who was a member of your goose club." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the window, rose as we entered. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The best possible." kind enough to tell me what I should do." him!" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. depend upon your compliance." at a side door. the tragedy. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was colonel looking down at me. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that