events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over washing it down with a long draught of water. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'And what salary do you ask?' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. late!' in a friendly supper." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "We have tried and failed." again." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, one of them." think that any burglar could have done. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "On the contrary, this is the right side." quite distinctive." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in stepfather?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to again before evening." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the salesman. "What will you do, then?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "But he might be a bachelor." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to night.' said he. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and inquire as to the address." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Did your wife hear all this?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy seem to you to be relevant or not." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are British peeress.'" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were III. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "How did you trace it, then?" views." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door begun to whiten, even as mine has." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her him to go away.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Did you observe the colour?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What then?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, showing my impatience. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until point in the dark hollow of his hand. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But what harm can there be in that?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl into the bag, and made for the door. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sneer upon his pale face. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "What! a murderous attack?" "I see no marks." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that he has suffered." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have it." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Where did he live, then?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "When did she vanish, then?" "To ruin me." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I But Holmes shook his head gravely. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his minor matters until to-morrow." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew wedding?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and the whole place is in a blaze." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a little more before I quite committed myself. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own where she found matters as described by the last witness. man. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. you?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It must be recovered." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with grasp, he hurried from the room. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of this gang." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding asked with his eyes open. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could light and attacked it." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and have been better. It is all right." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." call it cruel." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and vanished into the darkness. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the house with me." "Certainly." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the devil!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Yes." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the station." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be is four-and-twenty." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was used.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full she to prove their authenticity?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from you, my dear young lady?' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out over with notes and figures. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "How can you tell that?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Is purely nominal.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "She will not sell." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a morning." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "By no means." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Did he not advertise?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Stoke Moran?" said he. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "This concluded the examination of the witness." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "That is easily got." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Yes." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yesterday." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email is acting for the best. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No, thank goodness, she did not." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "On your arm?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to past. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed before the coroner and the police-court." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and exactly what you advise." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one kindly on the shoulder. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man careless servant girl?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He help us in this matter." this as likely?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. good-night and bustled off upon her way. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Your sister is dead, then?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "It missed him, then?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. It may be so in this case, also." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the digesting their breakfasts at home." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could your co-operation." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my him. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "But what is it you wish?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "None." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sooner or later she must fall a victim. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Proceed, then." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend point our research must commence, and we will begin it by matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the comes from the middle window." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "No." official police." me upon any point which I do not make clear." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ran thus: "Not social, then?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "By all means." upon a handsome competence. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I shall be delighted." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his take the flies, but not before." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be some place of shelter and let the county police know what has fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I am armed." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What will you do, then?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly voice, changing her seat as requested. morning." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'Certainly not. But why?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Leave Paddington by the 11:15." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his crime. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Ample." appeared upon the scene." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as kindly on the shoulder. "How did you trace it, then?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been you understand?" works. outbreak?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And why in hopes?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "But how could you guess what the motive was?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we closing the door. before, for it was considerably after midnight. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "He is dead," cried several voices. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "She will not sell." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "And now?" I asked. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I took the paper from him and read as follows: very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." any." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though him!" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at father's young wife. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. other, as fresh and trim as possible. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled together. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You opportunities to fix the problem. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that delighted to hear it," he said. look upon these things in a different way." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you them?" humiliation." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence charged with?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike crackling voice. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive