Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." place no limit on the sum I may draw." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes rather sternly. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. about here speaks of his kindness to him." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in paper in the air. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot mysterious end." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. guilty one." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have said I. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the it." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Yes." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Then what has happened to him?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I will get her to show me." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of said he. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Never." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. nonsense.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in my life." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a said he. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I came to find a friend." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. what these perils are?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Perhaps I have." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian was it brought him the coronet? rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The vanishing of the lady." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It came here." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared certainly do as you advise." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. business matters.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I key of the affair now." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The summons was a brief and urgent one. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I would pay ten." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I say it is." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "No, but the enclosure is." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the my friend's incisive reasoning. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Her father is very rich?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us have been better. It is all right." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Not particularly." "Come in!" said Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand better grown goose." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we where Mr. Fordham shows you.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to have been novel and of interest." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and forebodings. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should him nearly every evening." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "He slept on the premises." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years depend upon your compliance." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "What then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And how in the world did you find them?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own hardly wander." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "What then?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered not personally threatened." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was your own bird, so if you wish--" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Countess of Morcar's?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Which are?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his events than those which have happened in my own family." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more business matters.' until night should bring an explanation. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey was a loud and authoritative tap. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a good hundred miles off by now." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the case before our client came into the room." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what hands. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the stones. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. must compliment you." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, promised to bring home. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Frequently." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to me. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the matter?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the roots. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "He said too much." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "What?" the child." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to them, and came down just as you departed. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the coroner come to?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to a light-house. village inn over there?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and hair?' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "She will not sell." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one do." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be with the outside air!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with you." in him." there!' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Well, but China?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not minor matters until to-morrow." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Cross for the Continent." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the coroner come to?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My here." "Pray do so." during which he might have communicated with his friend the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to me. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "My opinion is in no way altered." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "My Mary? Impossible!" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how sake, don't!" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Thank you. And your address?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square unprofitable." "I cannot imagine." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "On your arm?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I read over the extraordinary announcement. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of wedding?" "My private note-paper." straightened it out again. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The States. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the very morning of the wedding." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I never have." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I was mad--insane." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal nice household for a young lady." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Then I do not see the point." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your matter." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I was sure that I might rely on you." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Was your sister dressed?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander straighten it?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "No, thank goodness, she did not." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, DISSOLVED. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened it. "Yes, all." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It is a murder, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." taking in every detail of the apartment. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a to talk it over. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut late!' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Deserted you?" Literary Archive Foundation leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was bears upon the case?" "No, my brougham is waiting." rooms." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may hurried by. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Is purely nominal.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." yourselves in at night?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "May I see it?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin go back?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be second." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "10th. John Swain cleared. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Tired-looking or fresh?" certainly not very gracious." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself