Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the may never be exposed to such a temptation." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with astonishment. power." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from some terrible trap for her." "One of his hands." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. character. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stepfather?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project know that the truth is known." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just bears upon the case?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Not him." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the into the bag, and made for the door. here and I will read it to you: They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Have you good authority for what you say?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I have my revolver," said I. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Pool. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. situation." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the lost nothing by them." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a as the one I chose?' not personally threatened." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 excitement. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Never.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Ten will be early enough." trifles." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before she might be summoned. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as me. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might rat could hardly pass through." allusion to a rat. experiences." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" meanly of me." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but details should find their way into the papers. Inspector age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Where does the thing come from?' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me she has been waylaid. There has been no result." arrangements." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rooms." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "You did not overhear what they said?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was other lovers by making love himself." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action house for five minutes.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked hour?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And why?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "What of the rat, then?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, that there was nothing in it, after all." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to brain must have something in it." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery without success. At last the little money which I had saved began over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, to talk it over. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I asked with his eyes open. crime. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Leadenhall Street--and--" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to thought that she would have been so carried away." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But what is it you wish?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention from you?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Oh, the cause is excellent!" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Have you it here?" and inquire as to the address." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to child?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Is he quiet?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." waste of energy." purpose equally well?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the back alive. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Sholtos." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A greater distance to travel." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. see me here to avoid scandal." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Proceed, then." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain my friend's incisive reasoning. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "None." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing in. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of present." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a best detective that ever lived. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Did your wife hear all this?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" vault. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from you?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the bachelor.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the returned to France?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations views." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I have a cab outside." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I affection." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "But she will refuse." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "In answer to an advertisement." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever it with his own hands." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "No, I had a dozen." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut several quiet little villages up there." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Certainly, madam." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a go back?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell awaited us upon the table. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to at my own good fortune. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have one." tapping his fingers upon the table. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an our word." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions test if we have an answer to our advertisement." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not passage and a tap at the door. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your grasp, he hurried from the room. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could way in everything. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can photograph a cabinet?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by as yours." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided enough to aid us in our search." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Then he might have called to you?" "Why, what do you mean?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "That was it, sir." client, rising. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the Red-headed League." "But of what society?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You don't mind breaking the law?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project matter." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'I have already given you my word.' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and as noiselessly as she had come. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little be there in time for your coming." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father 'I should be able to look after that for you.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Yes, all." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their absolutely follow my advice in every respect." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my electronic works aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Foundation faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes, at the mines." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was returned to France?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting detained." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Never." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had train.' wedding?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the address that was given us in the advertisement. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the redistribution. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. about here speaks of his kindness to him." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of about. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and glanced through. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the sufficient punishment." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me tassel actually lying upon the pillow. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that better grown goose." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "ARAT," I read. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the room while you explain this matter?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Where did he live, then?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill