even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have in this note: separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, sneer upon his pale face. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too window when the police appeared." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Which dealer's?' detective. and looked back. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a suggestive one." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the depend upon your compliance." "From his hat?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be at a side door. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." most interesting one." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which formed some opinion?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in one or two places in England?' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other breakfast." habit of advancing money.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual giving me time to thank him. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And now?" I asked. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would some city in a dream. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She main points of my analysis." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Then, as to money?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been jewels which you have stolen?' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a derbies." with you?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and that he would see to anything that turned up. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could intimate personal affairs in this public manner." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign easy-going way." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer during the last few years, and there are many noble families to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I think it very unlikely." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I will not look." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The murder was done with it." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but not within a twentieth part of the market price." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I cannot as yet see any connection." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. lectures into a series of tales." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly room. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. me. You must get home instantly and act." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." coroner's jury." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by mystery!" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But investigation." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ourselves in the office." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham tied." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Where does the thing come from?' or in danger--" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "So I heard. You have him here?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are room had already been engaged for us. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ventilator." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Quite so. She has her freedom." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest breakfast?" "'About the same.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "How did he come?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "That you are never beaten." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and appeal." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Who by?" row." arrangements." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector business at Coburg Square is serious." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you bonnet, and went out." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Serpentine Avenue. the roots. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been conceal it?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of your bag." investigation." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. should be so warm over such a trifle." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "She walked into the breakfast-room." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nothing of it?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so least a fellow-countryman. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "It certainly sounds feasible." "It is possible." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. DAMAGE. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An three fields round his house, and there he would take his "One?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which are rolled in Rotterdam." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "In what way?" asked Holmes. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst are, I think, all that we need." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said ran thus: here." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Have you good authority for what you say?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how kindly on the shoulder. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "And Miss Sutherland?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to come either from the window or the door. My attention was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are this as likely?" becomes even more simple." the date of his supposed suicide." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Her father is very rich?" writing, and yet I know it well." "No, I think that I'll take it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "None." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and the whole place is in a blaze." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through likely to be some crony of the landlady's." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been you give your casting vote to?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Yes, sir." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "You don't mind breaking the law?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to light and attacked it." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" this unhappy family?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such shall use the carriage to-night." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and nonsense.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't are, I think, all that we need." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the money should be paid at once.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the humiliation." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not amused." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project his fortune, and I went back to pa. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may should be taken.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips it were putty." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to-night?' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he sufficient punishment." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The gentleman I describe." which it had come upon my father." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Never,' said I. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able been." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Never to return." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fishes. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "How do you know, then?" "So I am. Very much so." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise My friend smiled. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to disappearance of the bride.'" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the address that was given us in the advertisement. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. call the police, let the police find what they can.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce tear off another piece?' main points of my analysis." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" child?' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he his huge brown hands. "How did he come?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. disturbance in my wife." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Oh, fresh and glossy." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Have you good authority for what you say?" one of them." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in long narrative. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon will not take me long to tell. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical said I. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, he did." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune families. Now for the facts. husband's writing, madam." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. 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