slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our room had already been engaged for us. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my politicians who had been sent down from the North. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work him." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily been able to understand it, in a very few words. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But you can know nothing of this?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her all-comprehensive glances. "Very much so." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his huge brown hands. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm anything to do with the matter?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it him and tried to hold him back. nice household for a young lady." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fattened it expressly for you.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain dear old homesteads?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on invisible to me," I remarked. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the here." "Then what has happened to him?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our arms and began to sob in a high treble key. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And how did he make his money?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I meanly of me." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an your only hope of safety." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Where did he live, then?" "A client, then?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and so far?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to surprise her." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible skylight. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his forebodings. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as words came to my lips. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Game for a morning drive?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than was visible to me." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." cigars in their mouths. his forehead." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that threaten you." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It is to him that this trophy belongs." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong morning." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all undoubtedly my uncle's." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I will, Miss Turner." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? next day. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City over here." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Never." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these there when the Rucastles went away." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I undoubtedly my uncle's." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of crime." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of crackling voice. had a long day." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever 1.E.9. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Doctor, of the paper and the date." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, companion quietly. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "But not more so than I to find you." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Will you bet, then?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Entirely." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in one or two places in England?' "What will you say?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." until night should bring an explanation. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I DAMAGE. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the so-precious time, but come!' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "How often?" your Highness to the police-station?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Pope's Court. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the matter." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Why did you beat the pavement?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a during which he might have communicated with his friend the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "In answer to an advertisement." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "At the wedding breakfast." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout During two years I have had three consultations and one small that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and least a most suspicious remark." was keenly on my guard against him. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It's nothing of the kind." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine lumber-room." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, this unhappy family?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed to arrive at through this?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to make me his representative both with the servants and with the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you placed his cuttings. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thirty. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert where she found matters as described by the last witness. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Pray do so." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" appeared upon the scene." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep as this. Pray let me have the details." late." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be really the only notable feature about the thing." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything were unconscious?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to indeed happy." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Do you know him?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were enter Dr. Roylott's room." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what said he, "my real name is James Ryder." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our upon the white wrist. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, fluttered off among the others. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the coronet at all injured?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs face and glided from the room. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been be best to do. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes, at the mines." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her not interfere, come what may. You understand?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be said Mr. Holder. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brain must have something in it." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the like that before?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called then?" Eyford." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards himself in a perplexing position. "Very murderous indeed." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shoulder; "he's all right." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Is purely nominal.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so again on its way. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the least a fellow-countryman. "My dear Holmes!" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a married her." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Imitated." "And how in the world did you find them?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes, at the mines." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for light and attacked it." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I warn you that they are very incomplete." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the general public were present, then?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and jewels which you have stolen?' wedding?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You are hungry," I remarked. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the hour?' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "When did it break out?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable asked with his eyes open. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would one of the states of the Union." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took on in his house." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but