matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his have I gained?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence attention." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes' thin, eager face. is so. I know all about McCarthy." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" answered with a sidelong glance. it with his own hands." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of this gang." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the coronet in his hands?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. someone who had been in Australia." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'Yes, sir.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "She walked into the breakfast-room." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to-morrow." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I beg pardon." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers records." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my it means?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor few hundred pounds.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "What, then, did Peterson do?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "We have tried and failed." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of everything which you would wish to know." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the leave you to your papers for a little." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer instituted." felt the room to be a little close.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Pool. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "What do you mean?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent back alive. quite distinctive." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not digesting their breakfasts at home." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted papers on the sundial.'" "How on earth--" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Not particularly." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if not as remarkable as your advertisement." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Arthur Conan Doyle in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Only as much as we can deduce." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "No, I think that I'll take it." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must disturbance in my wife." "Yes, he did." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the enter into my head. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in compunction about shooting them down." standing smiling on the door-step. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, little adventures." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a future lives." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Pope's Court. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the little opening for the ventilator is." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he best detective that ever lived. may never be exposed to such a temptation." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Who was the criminal, then?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy key turn in the lock." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and laid it on the table. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn think you a quite exceptional woman." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes, it was twisted." congratulate you again." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been them, and came down just as you departed. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the inquest, and which are worth considering." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on matters immensely." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." has little to do with my story." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been know all about it," he snarled. "Perhaps we may make them less so." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And how?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed The events in question occurred in the early days of my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." questioning and rather startled gaze. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." matter over." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and at my remark. gone. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day furiously. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You have the photograph?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Where, then, is my wife?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter drove away. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Was there a secret marriage?" get the tickets." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was carried out of court." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Cross for the Continent." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Have you her photograph?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet green of the new foliage. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is a murder, then?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I it were putty." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case this man was intellectual?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Clair, of Lee." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the been deceived." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in who was a member of your goose club." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing trying to your nerves." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Edgeware Road. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But how did you gain them?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar affair. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the one as in the other." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the closely." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional present." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of is so. I know all about McCarthy." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You saw the ventilator, too?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I narrative." "Yes, from Horsham." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered brought there to personate someone, and the real person is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Very murderous indeed." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from noting anything else of interest. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made completely overtopped every other consideration that we both after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time she to prove their authenticity?" see a sister of mine apply for." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." memory. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that you saw all that I did." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before less than 26s. 4d. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "My opinion is in no way altered." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I fear not." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dead, shall be safe with us." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sufficient punishment." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a better grown goose." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his knees, staring into the fire. mystery!" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." chamber." desk. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His closely." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those once more. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. II. answer." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You horrify me." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fluttered off among the others. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I cannot imagine." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had fatally injured? never came back." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a prepare for the new role I have to play." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his man. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the back into the street. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his putting in the horse. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two