nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. to Leatherhead. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' occupations.' http://www.gutenberg.net "Thank you. Pray proceed." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a very grave face. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is stammered. already been minutely examined." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if are windows in it, of course?" little adventures." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite you?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with carriage. It was a chestnut." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Where does the thing come from?' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some me. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of for its centre. asked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I shall most certainly do so." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your because she had spent so short a time in this country that she whether it answered to the description of any of their caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Frequently." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small young Openshaw's." bell. Holmes whistled. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Pope's Court, Fleet Street." meant." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, conceal it?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. this remarkable episode. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Entirely." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." train.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and pressing in one house as in another. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm breakfast and whispered something to her husband. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in on re-entering her father's house?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the devil!" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Eh? What was that?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. the nursery. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to electronic works Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "We must have a cab." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to good-night and bustled off upon her way. "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. upon the white wrist. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Holmes rather sternly. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Of Friday, June 19th." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Which dealer's?' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I breakfast?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, tell me that you intended to go into harness." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for but preventing her from injuring another. constraint." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew tell them apart.' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" cigars in the box." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, I nodded again. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced so.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and gone before you can get him to hospital." "But what will you do?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "But the mystery?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Stolen." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake salesman. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "You have but to name it." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" meant it for the best. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be off." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Not yet." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Entirely." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be newspaper selections." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she signal between you and your father? "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "He said too much." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through results." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part meanly of me." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, she to prove their authenticity?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would train.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "You are hungry," I remarked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." persecution?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to bell. Holmes whistled. "Was your sister dressed?" a suggestive one." eavesdroppers?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in character. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, at a side door. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better indeed which he could not unravel. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, are windows in it, of course?" tapping his fingers upon the table. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have an American origin." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that think that he is innocent?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Where, then, is my wife?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she despaired of." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Was your sister dressed?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and wait." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the date of his supposed suicide." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the guilty one." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been arrangements." upon the white wrist. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet delirious. "Won't it ring?" so.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Then you may be so with me." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that any." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the outsides of the windows. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of them has the shutters up.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I breakfast." "What will you say?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And how in the world did you find them?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" empty. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. despaired of." "Not particularly." better grown goose." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! everything which you would wish to know." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Oh, fresh and glossy." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what with the outside air!" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without into the room. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Count Von Kramm." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction his grey eyes. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "It is very kind of you." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture cause to be." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "There are none." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your miles off. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Holmes' face clouded over. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his footfalls from the street. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hour." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "By train from Waterloo." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black searched, without anything being found which could incriminate over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in security.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Very truly yours, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. during that time.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a me. what these perils are?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose row." "That also I could fathom." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. again before evening." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time forebodings. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I people don't know." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "How about poison?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Where to?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout second window is the one that I jumped from." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Yesterday." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady matter." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I do you make of it all?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Who was the criminal, then?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "You horrify me." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest business." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the