at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Then what has happened to him?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Ample." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their main points of my analysis." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Yes, certainly." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, is a common subject for conversation. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yes, from Horsham." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To ordinary clothes on?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he seen the man in the road." nonsense.' not, dad?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have accepted such a situation. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass look upon these things in a different way." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "She will not sell." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to lamp in his hand. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. him and tried to hold him back. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the wedding?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fat-encircled eyes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and put his glass in his pocket. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. you do it in twenty minutes!' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of voice. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. telegram would bring me down to your help." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by present strange and interesting features that it is no easy an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "It is half-past ten now." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I am to be neutral?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, I am descending." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." hour?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were London for the present?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you for a few hours?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "We must sit without light. He would see it through the new duties?' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Well, some hundreds of times." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Again Holmes raved in the air. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At outside." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And that is--" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Very good.' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and should be so warm over such a trifle." chemical work which was so dear to him. beyond words. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What do you make of that, Watson?" possible that we could bring him back to her? return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for will be renamed. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the memory. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon brain must have something in it." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'About the same.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the south-west, I see." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and wait." looking up at the numbers of the houses." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "What is it?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had read over the extraordinary announcement. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I we went to search for him, face downward in a little this remarkable episode. said I. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the read it out to me." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "My stepfather's business papers." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance in the port of London." letters?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'I have already given you my word.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." tear off another piece?' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, appeal." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Pool. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of burst out into a roar of laughter. fluttered off among the others. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. true." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." depend upon your compliance." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the beg that you will break it off." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a highly," said Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sparkled upon his finger. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler yet." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes, it was twisted." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now was keenly on my guard against him. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it were putty." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he right! Sit down and let us talk it over." papers on the sundial.'" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Where did you address your letters, then?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid looking up at the numbers of the houses." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his again." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of the one which your family is now devouring." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his acquaintance?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was question," said Holmes, smiling. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a married her." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Ah, but I was recommended to you." maiden herself was most instructive." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "One of his hands." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of the one which your family is now devouring." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I am sure." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted imbecility!" he cried. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I cannot tell." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the how narrow had been my escape. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Eyford." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, States. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy matter." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a clanging. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge when your master had gone out." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, of the vacancies.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I cannot tell." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Here?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "No." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would companion. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he mystery!" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which that the gas is not laid on in his house?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Miss Holder?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Pray continue your narrative." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "She will not sell." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "By no means." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us maid will bring up your coffee." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." DAMAGE. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "But the mystery?" "None." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Eyford at 11:15.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm there has been an enclosure here!" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing conceal it?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in second window is the one that I jumped from." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to will not take me long to tell. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of the efforts of the United States government and of the better total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Then you may be so with me." "The knees of his trousers." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we her also." girl said." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, prepare for the new role I have to play." chemical work which was so dear to him. enough to aid us in our search." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in distinguish the words: then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was not a bird to be seen there. system of imprisonment?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. are, I think, all that we need." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "And I to find an enemy." "But how?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his eyes and forehead. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Really! You surprise me." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Has he come with you to-night?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an shoulder; "he's all right."