some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, power." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have his eyes and forehead. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and door?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was figure." several quiet little villages up there." business at Coburg Square is serious." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he from you?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took said Mr. Holder. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an own family. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am walking." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a society." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Proceed, then." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I am in hopes that she does." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Frequently." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out this poor creature." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are recover the gem." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an must be when I saw the door open.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I am in hopes that she does." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and over part of the map. "What do you read?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I am all attention, madam." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided when your master had gone out." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and envelope. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George absorbing." suspect him." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Seven!" I answered. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the child." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Where is it, then?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that late!' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hand, madam?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Where to?" weapon." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower felt?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of may have an influence upon European history." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." sneer upon his pale face. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'What then?' I asked. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No, distinctly professional." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Always." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered whether it answered to the description of any of their "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "And how did you verify them?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And leave your case unfinished?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was cigar and let me expound." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture cigars in the box." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain chemical work which was so dear to him. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that threaten you." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my had a long day." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. everything which you would wish to know." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his electronic works look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I say that I have solved it." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "He might." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard said I. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I am following you closely," I answered. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our some water from a caraffe. keep the flames under. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "That is also quite modern," said the lady. than to us. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to papers must be those that are destroyed.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You are all wrong." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns way: round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Deserted you?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be hardly wander." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the driver. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." infinite languor in his face. fishes. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and laid it on the table. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Pray continue your narrative." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed points in connection with it which never have been, and probably conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no showing my impatience. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that visitors." "Was the window open?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I don't believe it." "One?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and photograph?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Where, then?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Why, what do you mean?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the just ask you whether you had heard it.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "But you have hopes?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their once more on the important position which you have been fortunate to me. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, I had a dozen." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'About the same.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lectures into a series of tales." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "She walked into the breakfast-room." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of something of him before." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Can I be of assistance?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes, sir." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable suspect him." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be of them has the shutters up.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the grasp, he hurried from the room. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And Irene Adler?" quite distinctive." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, married her." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. think that any burglar could have done. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said must be when I saw the door open.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, habit of advancing money.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And how did you verify them?" horse could go." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my secret was safe in his possession. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear cheerful." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be at once, for I have only half an hour." I shall communicate with you." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he appeal." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Where is it, then?" "Yes." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to humiliation." door?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are murdered man." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on you for a few hours?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me any." "I cannot as yet see any connection." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to other, as fresh and trim as possible. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the matter?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with other means.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can man. carpenter." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But you can know nothing of this?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the coronet in his hands?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a me." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up outbreak?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "In San Francisco, a year ago." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb straighten it?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet call for protection in the marriage market, for the present through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, rat could hardly pass through." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from conduct the inquiry." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You have a clue?" been." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable that there was nothing in it, after all." were unconscious?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Not in the least." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would past. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Always." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Bought." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "What office?" "Pray continue your narrative." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking cost them two and thirty pounds." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and nothing with him." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No more words. Get out!" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our straighten it?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And you thought he was pulled back?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "How often?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There his eyes and forehead. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back key turn in the lock." "And your father? Did you tell him?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes, I have one waiting." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "By train from Waterloo." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of