down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the side. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to not, dad?" she asked. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end pierced for earrings?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It is to him that this trophy belongs." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "My private note-paper." third from London." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Won't it ring?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in digesting their breakfasts at home." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague anything to do with the matter?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." daring than any effort of the imagination." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert laugh and put his lips to my ear. outsides of the windows. it with his own hands." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I cannot imagine." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to miss it." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left your sleep?' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I tension within him. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, plantation.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw into the room. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a room had already been engaged for us. "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, photograph a cabinet?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me distinguish the words: "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it memory. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I am about to be married." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the has little to do with my story." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be 1.E.9. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Ample." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I should be immensely obliged to you." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It surprised me." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east take the flies, but not before." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "One of his hands." third from London." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Never." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of you." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest him to be an active member of the medical profession." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "We have tried and failed." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Never." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached acquaintance?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his face. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. certainly do as you advise." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which ordinary clothes on?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this gone. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'What do you call purely nominal?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in despaired of." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe me. You must get home instantly and act." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And how did you find out?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and vault. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear not come at once?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every true." "Is he quiet?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the train.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes, it would be as well." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. window when the police appeared." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. weary and pale-looking. Gutenberg-tm License. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an envelope. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "And Miss Sutherland?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "None. Neville wrote those words." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination weary and pale-looking. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Imitated." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Perhaps I have." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." jewels which you have stolen?' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. unprofitable." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, asked with his eyes open. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You did not overhear what they said?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." vault. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and arrested. You then--" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as present." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his more solid." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another flock.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You chamber." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with in a very precise fashion." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "But not more so than I to find you." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with for securing the situation." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The doctor?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be suddenly upon us." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small keep the flames under. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "But she will refuse." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My last client of the sort was a king." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past hour." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to not fit the lock." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I said he. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Why that?' I asks. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I see no marks." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears that you can jump it.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and unprofitable." "By no means." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and more solid." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by business?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in such person." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the side-table." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted friend's singular character. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "What of the rat, then?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You have compromised yourself seriously." John Swain, of St. Augustine. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke fish-monger and a tide-waiter." place no limit on the sum I may draw." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "What?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and the colonel ushered me in. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last call for it in person on Monday morning.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Where, then?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the south-west, I see." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have an American origin." observed. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It upon a handsome competence. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, good-night and bustled off upon her way. approach us with offers to donate. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" chemical work which was so dear to him. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes, it would be as well." "Not him." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the very morning of the wedding." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down ashen face. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." if she died from some sudden fright." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You were travelling in the States?" "And is that all?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I have hopes." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each official police." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Count Von Kramm." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of gentleman's clothes. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I cannot imagine."