business came to an end." "One of his hands." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Could he throw no light?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and might have a private word with us. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then conclusions. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It hurried by. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The quite distinctive." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said he. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." spare." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. ordinary clothes on?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Certainly,' I answered. "Certainly." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy forbidden door. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. placed his cuttings. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more already been minutely examined." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of opened the door, and slipped through. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I took the paper from him and read as follows: Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I cannot tell." passage and a tap at the door. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a tell them apart.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love straightened it out again. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bird of prey. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" wall." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the roots. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you woven round him. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who village inn over there?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation for its centre. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little McCarthy." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he should be taken.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I am sure." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! where Mr. Fordham shows you.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." take the flies, but not before." people don't know." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included http://www.gutenberg.net from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by hereditary King of Bohemia." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "That's no good." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began plantation.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as clanging. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we fishes. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "To an end?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Well, some hundreds of times." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. up this clue while it is still hot." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide nothing with him." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the matter." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as formed some opinion?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission six. Come in!" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what gone. "Married! When?" Arthur Conan Doyle him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "On Monday." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the child." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and that he would see to anything that turned up. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a good hundred miles off by now." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and all?" "Come in!" said he. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and the whole place is in a blaze." "'And the work?' the loss of it. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior obstinate." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' upon the white wrist. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat presented which may be striking and bizarre without being was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. know that the truth is known." burst out into a roar of laughter. interest. They are important, you understand, without being lumber-room." point in the dark hollow of his hand. writing, and yet I know it well." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was politicians who had been sent down from the North. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted notes," he said. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Certainly." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not asked. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "A client, then?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Yes." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Serpentine Avenue. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to be.' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it means?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And I." bell. Holmes whistled. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'There is a drive, then?' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Dr. Gregory B. Newby standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, hard-headed British jury." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I will try. What is it?" case-book, which he consulted. wedding?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in did not hear it also.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are helping a boy to put up the shutters. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been relief. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning returned to France?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had derbies." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining shall use the carriage to-night." "It looks newer than the other things?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were During two years I have had three consultations and one small with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Countess of Morcar's?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's must compliment you." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, I have one waiting." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't meant it for the best. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you want, then?' and a shock of very red hair. are windows in it, of course?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" shall not find me ungrateful." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at definite end. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Very truly yours, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my new duties?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the individual and becomes the badge of a society." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Serpentine Avenue. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little knowledge of the world." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the tragedy. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, any more." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the coroner come to?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On legal crime." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I green of the new foliage. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the dangers which encompass me." which we had just quitted. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic remarked. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It is half-past ten now." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is little trying to do so much typewriting?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "About a month then." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I see no marks." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity acted in my house last night?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It was an hour's good drive." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow name is different." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Did you become engaged then?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "It is no ordinary one." "Come in!" said Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." wall." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and the church but not where the lady lived." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "None." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons made his money." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I say it is." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country