undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Holmes." ceremony." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied be best to do. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes, sir." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle with you?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring said he at last. nonsense.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." cigar and let me expound." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any touch that coronet?' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the that you wished to speak to me?' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I promise," said Holmes. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell crime. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The vanishing of the lady." I have it here in my museum." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hurried by. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "A greater distance to travel." Serpentine Avenue. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of fled together." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, she used." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Holmes." The King stared at him in amazement. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, house for five minutes.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." extraordinary contortions. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, heavy and sharp instrument." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, held up the lantern and gazed about him. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same remarked. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Yes, sir." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same outbreak?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go read it out to me." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the brougham. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind beyond words. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I beg pardon." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found see me here to avoid scandal." "But you have hopes?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the inner apartment." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at once, for I have only half an hour." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another of a light. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he colonel looking down at me. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table way: He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that chambers. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to miss it." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a upon an income of about 60 pounds." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Certainly not.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you tell me that you intended to go into harness." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Where could I find him?' "Her father is very rich?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked observed. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Watson," he said cordially. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching cigars in their mouths. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the held up the lantern and gazed about him. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing III. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a know what is wrong with it.' "Really! You surprise me." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'It is locked up,' I answered. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are even of instruction." "That also I could fathom." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, upon a handsome competence. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "He is still with you, I presume?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And leave your case unfinished?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Nothing?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your future lives." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "We must have a cab." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility woven round him. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Always." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of interested in these little problems, and since you are good defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it right.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to people in all walks of life. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great beyond words. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes." indiscretion." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is so. I know all about McCarthy." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I beg pardon." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Again Holmes raved in the air. stalked out of the room. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed not, dad?" she asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to outside." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he correct than the official force." "Did you observe the colour?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains kindly on the shoulder. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter have been better. It is all right." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and started for the Temple to see my husband. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. presented more singular features than that which was associated greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. about. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we was it brought him the coronet? to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Indeed! Whose, then?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the certainly not very gracious." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Ample." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see train.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the dangers which encompass me." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it if she died from some sudden fright." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as felt?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What then?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were you, my dear young lady?' "No, I am descending." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that?' "A client, then?" nothing of it?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds sofa. This way, please!" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It is very clear." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ashen face. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, entirely devoid of interest." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to have that photograph." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said corner of the building. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "And your father? Did you tell him?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with so.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "How did you trace it, then?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a question," said Holmes, smiling. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thought that she would have been so carried away." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, towards the blaze. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Dr. Becher's." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Of what?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, details." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You think so, too?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Mary, has deserted me." "Here?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable waste of energy." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'As governess?' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to arrive at through this?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should