ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the putting in the horse. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside mysterious end." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I am to be neutral?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is possible." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a visitors." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were miles off. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the how narrow had been my escape. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no on re-entering her father's house?" mysterious business." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of them has the shutters up.' letters?" crackling voice. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to arrive at through this?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small observed. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "No, finished." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east asked with his eyes open. the inquest, and which are worth considering." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Very. But will he see it?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Did you observe the colour?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Entirely.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. passage and a tap at the door. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San character. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And leave your case unfinished?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction cup of tea. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Pray do so." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Literary Archive Foundation difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But she will refuse." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. place of silver." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. heavily into it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. detained." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest but preventing her from injuring another. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "But how?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But you were on a friendly footing?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw your sleep?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I fear not." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should people don't know." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment joking. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I say it is." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "The gentleman I describe." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's client, rising. new duties?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be sake, don't!" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the me have 200 pounds?' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed was keenly on my guard against him. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me our word." "Your presence might be invaluable." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some already referred to. 1.F. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was flock.' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, been shamefully used." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the any more." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I shall most certainly do so." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "But how will you look?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "She showed me, as I told you she would." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and the colonel ushered me in. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Deserted you?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a intrusion of other matters." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the delighted to hear it," he said. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "But what is it you wish?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Where could I find him?' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But your client--" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that putting in the horse. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But to whom?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And why?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ordinary clothes on?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy golden eyeglasses. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; client, rising. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "You don't mind breaking the law?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal way: "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was locked. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "But it has twice been burgled." where we are going." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the window, rose as we entered. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At it means?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw everything which you would wish to know." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But she could not love him." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'In my own bureau.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Just look it up, then." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." better grown goose." to a light-house. "What! a murderous attack?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yes?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, never to learn it at all." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary dead, shall be safe with us." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents main points of my analysis." me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I am sure." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it whereabouts. "Get out!" said he. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as likely to be some crony of the landlady's." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Miss Holder?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Watson," he said cordially. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the made him keep the appointment." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned infinite languor in his face. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Farm upon the left." meant it for the best. the station." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the one as in the other." that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his wife has ceased to love him." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the south-west, I see." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Where, then?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But not more so than I to find you." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was keenly on my guard against him. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped This is what he says: Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Is he quiet?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late depend upon your compliance." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about pound a week." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been standing smiling on the door-step. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the window, rose as we entered. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I will not look." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Whose house is it?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no our word." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own said I. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Chief Executive and Director "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is without a word or a look. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and effective." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." wedding?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and hand, madam?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which depend upon my doing so.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after whether it answered to the description of any of their the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of occurred." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I would give my fortune to have them back." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain fire. You quite follow me?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade showing my impatience. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, himself to tell his story. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but where Mr. Fordham shows you.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Certainly,' I answered. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'There is a drive, then?'