little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Nothing?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as thirty. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And you don't know his address?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the coronet at all injured?" his huge brown hands. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Never." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom orange pips. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "When did it break out?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock on in his house." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now house for five minutes.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You think that he is dead?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my she might be summoned. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the manager. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of garden below. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Very much so." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, purpose equally well?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle right! Sit down and let us talk it over." been with you?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel held up the lantern and gazed about him. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. husband's writing, madam." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." said he. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It missed him, then?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear there!' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Certainly not.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. keep the flames under. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid husband's writing, madam." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Only as much as we can deduce." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The Cedars?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Eyford." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" at a side door. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "In San Francisco, a year ago." his eyes and forehead. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle sake, don't!" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know arrangements." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Stolen!' he cried. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that, and I came down." "And is that all?" "That also I could fathom." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Then I shall certainly come." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when showing my impatience. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'And the work?' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "This photograph!" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Pray do so." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of Fenchurch Street." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I am armed." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "To ruin me." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, It may be so in this case, also." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'I have heard so.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "No, I am descending." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you for a few hours?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It was an hour's good drive." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the highly," said Holmes. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Who by?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact respectable self." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have compunction about shooting them down." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'You cannot say what it was?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Perhaps we may make them less so." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered dead, shall be safe with us." union?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "On Monday." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is His smile broadened. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Yes." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the or in danger--" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'There is a drive, then?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke spark where all is dark to me." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I don't say that. Perhaps." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." ceremony." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a annoyance, but no jest. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was be there in time for your coming." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And who is her maid?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I never have." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of that, and I came down." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Not him." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the warnings." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Very. But will he see it?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I don't believe it." done what I asked you, Jones?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cheerful." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp throat." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It looks newer than the other things?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Did you become engaged then?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to miss it." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Ha! you find it so?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. invisible to me," I remarked. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hurried by. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Where, indeed?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange answered with a sidelong glance. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry before the coroner and the police-court." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And you can do nothing until then?" "What is it?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But he might be a bachelor." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has infinite languor in his face. trifles." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for other means.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is no ordinary one." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You are all wrong." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my always that they were such commands as a lady might with "How about poison?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "He is still with you, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady key of the affair now." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is trifles." Dr. Gregory B. Newby Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money desk. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. business came to an end." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And you don't know his address?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their depend upon my doing so.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless beyond words. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "But how will you look?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." any more." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'I am sure that I do not know.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has them?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey answered with a sidelong glance. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were some water from a caraffe. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his face. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look been with you?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: ago." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect said he. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" intrusion of other matters." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in this way: rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes, but only for you and me." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. me. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And that is--" union?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Here?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both