"That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of see a sister of mine apply for." "I will not look." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'I have heard so.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I think that it is very probable." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went unprofitable." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not through." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My locked. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Pope's Court, Fleet Street." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Pray tell us what has happened to you." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. more terrible than the truth. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, think that he is innocent?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few place of silver." round and wave him away like that.' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might open." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger her also." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "But you have hopes?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my assist you in forming an opinion." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, instituted." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress second window is the one that I jumped from." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from carried out of court." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most is so. I know all about McCarthy." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Is purely nominal.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I am all attention, madam." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on 'please.'" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." kind enough to tell me what I should do." mysterious end." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but His smile broadened. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. that goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated face and glided from the room. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the coat-tails." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Leave Paddington by the 11:15." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt tied." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg cost them two and thirty pounds." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, I have one waiting." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sake, don't!" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his arrangements." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Game for a morning drive?" locked." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic know all about it," he snarled. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was vanished into the darkness. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "That also I could fathom." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter remarked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in this note: "Then, as to money?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the loss of it. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold which it had come upon my father." "The Coroner: What do you mean? such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" made him keep the appointment." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty man. I know him from the photograph." "Get out!" said he. the best of training." "You are all wrong." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly outside. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness your sleep?' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in beyond words. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as he folded up the epistle. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It was a confession," I ejaculated. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should do.' appeal." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in green of the new foliage. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be nothing with him." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that he will be back before evening." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "And your mother is alive?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the shall not find me ungrateful." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the salesman. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Perhaps I have." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." advice." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in be. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "But his lameness?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the excitement. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried your sleep?' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the south-west, I see." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes, certainly." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Yes." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "An enemy?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I married her." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, main points of my analysis." handed it to him. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Nothing." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the loss of it. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of than to us. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now answered with a sidelong glance. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the hurried by. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "When did she vanish, then?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. acquaintance?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be back alive. writing, and yet I know it well." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "But how could you guess what the motive was?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to instincts rose up against that laugh. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "You horrify me." "And why?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then the page we have seen--" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "BALLARAT." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I should be immensely obliged to you." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was that you can jump it.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the point in the dark hollow of his hand. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "An enemy?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and it need not interfere very much with one's other without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Did you observe the colour?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded must be when I saw the door open.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. even so self-evident a thing as that." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It back to my heart. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it derbies." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "What! a murderous attack?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cost them two and thirty pounds." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her papers on the sundial.'" your sleep?' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the them?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining answered with a sidelong glance. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the you." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "In what way?" asked Holmes. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously past. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You have the photograph?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It is half-past ten now." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the experiences." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you highroad, where all traces were lost. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we think that he is innocent?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us.