"The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "It is true that I have been generally successful." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Stolen." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking redistribution. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." meant it for the best. affair. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "ARAT," I read. "Entirely." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And now?" He raised his hand. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But he might be a bachelor." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "How often?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and the colonel ushered me in. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a think, you have already met." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Your French gold?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew himself in a perplexing position. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to-night?' more solid." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual mystery may be cleared along those lines." lumber-room." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." presented more singular features than that which was associated knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she your co-operation." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer congenial hunt. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Witness: Nothing definite. problems help me to do so." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a outside." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Precisely." infinite languor in his face. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "None. Neville wrote those words." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the window, rose as we entered. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his face. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Young McCarthy must be got off, however." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Texas, I think." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all over with notes and figures. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Game for a morning drive?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "If I can be of use." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her families. Now for the facts. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility green of the new foliage. "Then he might have called to you?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I security.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came me." excitement. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every cause to be." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: my secret was safe in his possession. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "And when will you call?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I guessed as much." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. breakfast?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Where to?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the tragedy. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, on in his house." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little is worth.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker to surprise her." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had written. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wedding?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Well?" "And how have you succeeded?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, my little problems." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to tell." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me people don't know." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. see me here to avoid scandal." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "What! a murderous attack?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Upon what point?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." relief. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the towards the blaze. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and less than 26s. 4d. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, II. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I young Openshaw's." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his room. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the Red-headed League." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I comes from the middle window." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the south-west, I see." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions families. Now for the facts. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Very truly yours, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Pray be precise as to details," said he. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of careless servant girl?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the out of this horrible affair." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to been with you?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to October 9, 1890. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would fear." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and conduct the inquiry." dramatic, in fact." "Yes, from Horsham." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the matter." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect persecution?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Then, how do you know?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning putting in the horse. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It was an hour's good drive." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" was already answered. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" me. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Clair, of Lee." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Absolutely?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, desk. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "What have you to say now?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the date of his supposed suicide." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, figure." "Eh? What was that?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated triumphant cloud from his cigarette. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in tied." "I do." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and crowd. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Heh?' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making only touch the interest." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. himself. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed directly by questioning you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried back alive. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I cannot as yet see any connection." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was used.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and way in." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'I have heard so.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the once more to my work. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." before, for it was considerably after midnight. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than companion imperturbably. works. See paragraph 1.E below. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture was used.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your strong reason behind." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. rat could hardly pass through." "It is no ordinary one." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK felt?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yes." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it interests were the same as his." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And I." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the coronet in his hand?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "She will not sell." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern,