nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an were unconscious?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and that he would see to anything that turned up. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the business?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of Fenchurch Street." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Heh?' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a forecastle of an emigrant ship. was already answered. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "None." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You have a clue?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark see a sister of mine apply for." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, her also." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "There is the writing." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then bird of prey. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and all of them with the keenest interest. walking." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my back into the street. wedding?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' detained." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for hardly wander." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "In San Francisco, a year ago." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite electronic works quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was appointment with me for six o'clock?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Seven!" I answered. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." asked with his eyes open. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You have carte blanche." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But it has twice been burgled." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. girl said." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss again." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it right.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and have this put in the evening papers." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Where is it, then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of II. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that papers diligently of late, have you not?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind It may be so in this case, also." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He present strange and interesting features that it is no easy not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must morning." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "My photograph." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "What can it mean?" I gasped. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall thin, with a long, sharp nose?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven populous neighbourhood." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Yes, it was gone.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in darkness. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. less than 26s. 4d. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Why serious?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I beg pardon." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You think so, too?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! 'please.'" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." congratulate you again." "That is not always so easy." already referred to. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have my revolver," said I. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Is purely nominal.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass letters?" villagers almost as much as their master. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "What of the rat, then?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the made his money." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "What! You do not mean bodies?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your depend upon your compliance." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! what do you think they found in the pockets?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ah!" to you." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Henry Baker is a member." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It missed him, then?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked For additional contact information: wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, directly by questioning you." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I cannot as yet see any connection." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It came here." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a all?" "But of what society?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fled together." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in yourselves in at night?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the south-west, I see." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I am not easy in my mind about them." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely His name is Francis Prosper." quickly through a disagreeable task. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which for the market.' "So I heard. You have him here?" galvanised. "That's no good." with her." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of have been better. It is all right." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked forehead. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "The vanishing of the lady." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, distinctly professional." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I held the little printed slip to the light. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in me what he had done with the three missing stones. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you want, then?' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. them?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." spare." "I will try. What is it?" go from here to the Strand." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since asked. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly is now desirous of getting those letters back." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to past. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but remarked. strong and stiff." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point yourselves in at night?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old License. You must require such a user to return or betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Doctor, of the paper and the date." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was know what is wrong with it.' your room." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. everything which you would wish to know." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You are certainly joking, Holmes." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, galvanised. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked where Mr. Fordham shows you.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my straighten it?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No. What a strange idea!" highroad, where all traces were lost. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and very morning of my second wedding." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and keep the flames under. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue girl said." "No?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But it has twice been burgled." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Married! When?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That is easily got." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "You have a clue?" hurried by. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very because she had spent so short a time in this country that she where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations coat-tails." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "On Monday." "Not in a good cause." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "And why?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the next day. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'About the same.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. figure." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it intrusion of other matters." help us in this matter." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it third from London." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Of what day?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I am all attention, madam." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Pool. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was lame."