Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid married her." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. could go. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the horse could go." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we business matters.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "He said that you could solve anything." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. wanted for ourselves." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. nothing with him." The events in question occurred in the early days of my to-night." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Not particularly." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the you?' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" gigantic client. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the himself. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "The King of Scandinavia." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But how?" man. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his face which made him a very different person to the round, "No, distinctly professional." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. excitement. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Your presence might be invaluable." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in one or two places in England?' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and unclasping of his long thin hands. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Yes, I have one waiting." compunction about shooting them down." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I should like to see him very much." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and appeared upon the scene." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him disappearance of the bride.'" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My maiden herself was most instructive." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet your most interesting statement." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my special province." "I assure you that I am in your hands." introspective fashion. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project impression behind it as though a window had gently closed which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the devil!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the writing, and yet I know it well." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "But you have hopes?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "No." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and strength." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Is he quiet?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Not at all. I only doubt--' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, face and glided from the room. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Come in!" said Holmes. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Why that?' I asks. "Quite so." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always way in." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your attention." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Upon what point?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain gentleman's clothes. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You horrify me!" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left I approached. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' without a word or a look. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." gigantic client. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Eyford at 11:15.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable death." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other window when the police appeared." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the not come at once?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fattened it expressly for you.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." arrested. You then--" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so test if we have an answer to our advertisement." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the stable lane now." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when prison!" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "What steps will you take?" I asked. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two would then never go into court at all." third from London." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "An enemy?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from has little to do with my story." "Why? What do you mean?" the so-precious time, but come!' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in our word." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport there was no need for father to know." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. This is what he says: pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "10th. John Swain cleared. you for a few hours?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise out of this horrible affair." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the will not take me long to tell. which we had just quitted. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran here." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend newspaper selections." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not people don't know." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all behind me. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was keenly on my guard against him. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet said he at last. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and read over the extraordinary announcement. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I took the paper from him and read as follows: say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and have this put in the evening papers." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I have a cab outside." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Ample." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Where did you address your letters, then?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was it brought him the coronet? as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Only as much as we can deduce." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen most interesting one." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a woman." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "What! a murderous attack?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Henry Baker is a member." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It came here." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the from the brougham. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of the way of danger. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned from you?" to-night?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of this gang." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a himself to hunt down. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the never came back." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Your French gold?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "That's no good." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Yes." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "In answer to an advertisement." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked My friend smiled. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Then he might have called to you?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No." in. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Seven!" I answered. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the