absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "At half-wages, in fact." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London back alive. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and the whole place is in a blaze." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came attention." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And Irene Adler?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Leadenhall Street--and--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed events, Mr. Windibank!" friends, not even his own brother. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more fishes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Precisely so. But how--" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to-night?" I asked. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Witness: I must still refuse. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "But she could not love him." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "What will you say?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich call for protection in the marriage market, for the present condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began were wasted." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are away in different directions, and I went off to make my own from you?" certainly not very gracious." strength." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Heh?' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see nonsense.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But the mystery?" "But to whom?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so do." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the dear old homesteads?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You don't mind breaking the law?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I approached. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Mary, has deserted me." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by examination of the premises, but without finding anything which destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as must compliment you." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "My dear Holmes!" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to his cane at the bell-pull. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I call the police, let the police find what they can.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will intimate personal affairs in this public manner." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to arrive at through this?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. asked. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "He might." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to change my dress. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. this poor creature." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It is half-past ten now." digesting their breakfasts at home." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "My dear Holmes!" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they skylight. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Upon what point?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' redistribution. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." sofa. This way, please!" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You horrify me!" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I would give my fortune to have them back." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. these bleak autumnal evenings." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear 1.E.9. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the side-table." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if public press." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "But he might be a bachelor." "But how will you look?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I was sure that I might rely on you." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Not yet." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had down. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His everything which you would wish to know." noting anything else of interest. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I cannot think." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fatally injured? is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of entirely devoid of interest." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by you came in." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man like gravel from a pit.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was night.' said he. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thin, with a long, sharp nose?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat this unhappy family?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" look upon these things in a different way." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend rat could hardly pass through." ready to-morrow?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the station." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in a very grave face. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He purpose equally well?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Not in the least." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What! You do not mean bodies?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad nights." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full them?" disappearance of these gems?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Here?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife straighten it?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the presented more singular features than that which was associated down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And I to find an enemy." "Then I do not see the point." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a been." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Deserted you?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting with you alone." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two coat-tails." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Ah!" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Will you go?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, that is the Crown." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and wait." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "One of the highest in England." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And how did he make his money?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge rat could hardly pass through." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hard-headed British jury." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And you thought he was pulled back?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was manager. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes, but only for you and me." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and ago." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Bought." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" whole matter to your consideration." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have maid will bring up your coffee." his cane at the bell-pull. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "What!" he roared. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the stones. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. shall not find me ungrateful." away to you." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with ordinary clothes on?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked might have a private word with us. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "The landlord of the Alpha." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Why? What do you mean?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I was concerned in it." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cigars in the box." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sneer upon his pale face. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Mary, has deserted me." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young strong reason behind." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the door?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Now, then, what's the last entry?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most floor. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I don't believe it." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I have come for advice." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I