insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Foundation "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his fortune, and I went back to pa. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. floor. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me went to the Alpha were town bred." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my orange pips. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior locked. "Never." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought out of this horrible affair." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I will, Miss Turner." "The murder was done with it." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a be sorry for having acted so harshly." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "How did he come?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "No more words. Get out!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a locked. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the coronet in his hand?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Have you her photograph?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of business." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a You want to know what became of those geese?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Entirely." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Nearly eleven." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." question. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." your bag." what do you think they found in the pockets?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'I am sure that I do not know.' closing the door. "My stepfather's business papers." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and a shock of very red hair. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to tackle the facts." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Precisely so. But how--" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Nearly eleven." of your young ladies.' the so-precious time, but come!' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." it." habit of advancing money.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then I shall certainly come." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Then he might have called to you?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my thirty. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And who is her maid?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "How many? I don't know." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the himself to tell his story. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "How did you deduce the select?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Farm upon the left." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to a light-house. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Surrey." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as lost nothing by them." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I have a cab outside." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, my special province." during that time.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and footfalls from the street. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little kindly on the shoulder. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my washing it down with a long draught of water. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Miss Holder?" signal between you and your father? was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, arrangements." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "He slept on the premises." "Not social, then?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I cannot tell." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we indiscretion." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." directly by questioning you." over with notes and figures. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Was your sister dressed?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. very morning of my second wedding." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But you can know nothing of this?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "What have you done?" asked Holmes. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, pierced for earrings?" "What have you to say now?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it with his own hands." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "It is possible." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** detective. know all about it," he snarled. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "What! Had he lost his wife?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be this remarkable episode. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Certainly,' I answered. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in she used." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it would then never go into court at all." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Precisely so. But how--" sound at heart." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is very kind of you." which it had come upon my father." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." never will be, entirely cleared up. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite as this. Pray let me have the details." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The Coroner: What do you mean? madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham fuss that is made over them." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ashen face. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "In which, sir?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Awake, Watson?" he asked. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement some city in a dream. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "The gentleman I describe." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'About the same.' assist you in forming an opinion." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Countess of Morcar's?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being legal crime." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the relief. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "But he might be a bachelor." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and no precautions can guard against." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Then I shall certainly come." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to Leatherhead. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into returned to France?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of once more for Briony Lodge. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when beyond words. to affect your life." "Then what has happened to him?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he used to be." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Chief Executive and Director redistribution. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have imbecility!" he cried. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Was he the only applicant?" neither fascinating nor artistic." certainly do as you advise." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of said I. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of know what is wrong with it.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "No, finished." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the this as likely?" "Yesterday." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place been." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "A client, then?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or stepfather?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Very good.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary see a sister of mine apply for." you?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "But your client--" "He might." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "He is still with you, I presume?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by little trying to do so much typewriting?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us.