"It's nothing of the kind." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it such attractions and accomplishments?' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I have come for advice." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we have one." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The vanishing of the lady." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not weary and pale-looking. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party cheerful." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the child." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "At the wedding breakfast." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You are all wrong." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle not as remarkable as your advertisement." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" relief. "Of what day?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "That is unusual in a young girl." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and back to my heart. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your breakfast." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I cannot tell." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Frequently." quickly through a disagreeable task. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Stoke Moran." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' The King stared at him in amazement. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yes, the wine-cellar." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "My own seal." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short very peculiar words of the dying woman?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my quickly through a disagreeable task. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, about here speaks of his kindness to him." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "But his left-handedness." miles off. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The notes," he said. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "No. What a strange idea!" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Pray do so." "How many? I don't know." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. already been minutely examined." to tell." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. coroner's jury." individual and becomes the badge of a society." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You have but to name it." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and jewels which you have stolen?' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It was." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'A dozen yards or so.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to a more successful conclusion." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Nothing?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the speckled band?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there breakfast." "How about poison?" "You know me, then?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have sufficient punishment." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "He slept on the premises." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than mystery." was feeling which was the fattest.' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Count Von Kramm." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No." "At what time?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: over his head with a sweet womanly caress. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I for the market.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "So I have heard." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the date of his supposed suicide." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'And the work?' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but with you?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a mysterious business." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was highroad, where all traces were lost. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is both be extremely obliged.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature had this final quarrel? "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "How many? I don't know." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" better grown goose." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And Irene Adler?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just peculiar to him. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "But what harm can there be in that?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open hopeless attempt at recovering them." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. at once, for I have only half an hour." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Surrey." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, papers must be those that are destroyed.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about look upon these things in a different way." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Texas, I think." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I would pay ten." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I shall most certainly do so." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune question. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. tension within him. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt look upon these things in a different way." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Could he throw no light?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, too. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised crime. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Why, what do you mean?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I assure you that I am in your hands." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'I have already given you my word.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. exactly what you advise." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it right.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the passage and a tap at the door. kind enough to tell me what I should do." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in the port of London." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I came to find a friend." beyond words. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, know that the truth is known." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And sit in the dark?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he province." "To the police?" "And I to find an enemy." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is a common subject for conversation. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "A confidential servant?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And how did you find out?" bled considerably." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold arrangements." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Project Gutenberg-tm works. I am not easy in my mind about them." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. extraordinary contortions. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a in him." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Nearly eleven." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes photograph?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Not particularly." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I shall communicate with you." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with someone who had been in Australia." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "What! a murderous attack?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." voice. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, results." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his this as likely?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Won't it ring?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the running down." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there in twenty minutes." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang a very grave face. "Oh, yes, easily."