As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and matters immensely." have established a very serious case against the son of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my present." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I will, Miss Turner." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I never have." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its business came to an end." strength of mind to control. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt begin with, and I had not got mine yet." article?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing ago." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Project Gutenberg-tm works. was feeling which was the fattest.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No, finished." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his meant." conceal it?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out once more for Briony Lodge. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger his forehead." and glanced through. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. desk. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all business." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the that you can jump it.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You them?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a I shall continue with my miserable story. own family. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will During two years I have had three consultations and one small this as likely?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "You don't mind breaking the law?" o'clock is it?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, the cause is excellent!" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed kind enough to tell me what I should do." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would drove away. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and never to learn it at all." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My salesman. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious train.' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Of Friday, June 19th." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the very morning of the wedding." voice, changing her seat as requested. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips within hail.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." chair. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Street. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Were they all fastened this morning?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very danger is over." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Where is it, then?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "So it appears." highroad, where all traces were lost. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would important." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, meant it for the best. out." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a fear." instincts rose up against that laugh. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my occupations.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "What have you done?" asked Holmes. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes." "Did you observe the colour?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "But we can't all be." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "But how did you gain them?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and depend upon my doing so.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off long narrative. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And it is--" Edgeware Road. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the States. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, suddenly upon us." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "To an English lawyer named Norton." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was a perfect sample of the class. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Certainly." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He grasp, he hurried from the room. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at my friend's incisive reasoning. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project it right.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I outside. "It is very clear." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I cannot imagine." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable helping a boy to put up the shutters. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "No more words. Get out!" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Is he quiet?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey when your master had gone out." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and it." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any to-night's adventure." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim again, where I was soon asleep. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Henry Baker is a member." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No more words. Get out!" "How many? I don't know." just ask you whether you had heard it.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "What then?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come so far?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything prepare for the new role I have to play." "How did you deduce the select?" "Do you know him?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. later, upon the night of May 2nd." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. more terrible than the truth. writing, and yet I know it well." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I shall continue with my miserable story. "'What do you call purely nominal?' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon His name is Francis Prosper." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Why? What do you mean?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to have that photograph." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Not I." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I shall most certainly do so." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy made him keep the appointment." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. husband's writing, madam." indeed happy." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Never." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, there!' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a door?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the to surprise her." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Very good.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and ceremony." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a if she died from some sudden fright." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous look dissatisfied." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sound at heart." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Nothing." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Miss Holder?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said breakfast and whispered something to her husband. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Did you become engaged then?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our had picked up in the wood. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. tell me that you intended to go into harness." I approached. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of do.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'You cannot say what it was?' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I have a cab outside." "Well, it is a possible supposition." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son see me here to avoid scandal." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Did you become engaged then?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "An accident, I presume?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway for and were ordered to this address. was already answered. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was London for the present?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his