and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out main points of my analysis." British peeress.'" possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, thirty. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." excitement. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to surprise her." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "He is dead," cried several voices. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But how will you look?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the intrusion of other matters." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the bottom.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes." was lame." "'I shall certainly be there.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." about. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'And what salary do you ask?' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can me where it went to?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Stolen." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is no ordinary one." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Not him." "I have hopes." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Get out!" said he. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the imbecility!" he cried. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Whose house is it?" was a lad." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which gone. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Why? What do you mean?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "How did you trace it, then?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. humiliation." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Absolutely?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'About the same.' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Murdered?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the again." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Why, it's a dummy," said he. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What then?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously remarked. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "At the wedding breakfast." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "So I heard. You have him here?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "That's no good." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do all that?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, beg that you will break it off." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered whole matter to your consideration." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was mystery." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much money should be paid at once.' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that, and I came down." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to a light-house. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Yes, that is the Crown." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes, only one." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to said I. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will power." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her digesting their breakfasts at home." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old occurred." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Farm upon the left." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. never came back." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'You cannot say what it was?' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "That is possible." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Where is it, then?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Certainly." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have got?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, affair. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon just called myself is not exactly my own." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Precisely." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly maiden herself was most instructive." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called who was a member of your goose club." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom woven round him. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and quick march!" "I know where it is." any." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this remarkable episode. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord had formerly been in part my own. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." people in all walks of life. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, know that the truth is known." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was shining brightly. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And you can do nothing until then?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had my former friend and companion. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "To ruin me." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any might have a private word with us. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "You have a clue?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest really the only notable feature about the thing." ventilator." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to arrive at through this?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw rose-bushes. "And you don't know his address?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said despair." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to not within a twentieth part of the market price." where she found matters as described by the last witness. promised to bring home. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his observed. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy in a friendly supper." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And when will you call?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of is so. I know all about McCarthy." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a business matters.' "Can I be of assistance?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "No." visitors." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He occupations.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about better in every way that they should make their position a little way in everything. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have himself to hunt down. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I see many objections to any such theory." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Get out!" said he. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two promised to bring home. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours observed. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I am in hopes that she does." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such to his chemical studies. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, out of this horrible affair." chance." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "He disappeared so suddenly." the driver. straighten it?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What, then, did Peterson do?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that locked. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always case-book, which he consulted. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I cannot think." "In which, sir?" better in every way that they should make their position a little "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "A client, then?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as this. Pray let me have the details." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but it." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your question. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I saw her in conversation with her maid." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank his forehead." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Entirely.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the Friday. Was it to be in church?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "At half-wages, in fact." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus fattened it expressly for you.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and promised to bring home. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." question," said Holmes, smiling. "It is his hat." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black written, and locked the door of the office after me. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "My dear Holmes!" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I say that I have solved it." conceal it?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "It is no ordinary one." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy is so. I know all about McCarthy." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were least a fellow-countryman. mystery!" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "How did you trace it, then?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a room. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her