"The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of said I. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed interested in these little problems, and since you are good empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "One?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to held up the lantern and gazed about him. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "An enemy?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the so-precious time, but come!' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell breakfast?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she do.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. miles off. in my life." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "The gentleman I describe." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and no precautions can guard against." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," do.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Frequently." the King without delay." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly our word." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Entirely.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You think that he is dead?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in bedroom door." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried here and I will read it to you: quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they maid will bring up your coffee." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the King without delay." "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate back into the street. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the devil!" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Absolutely?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, was lame." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at highroad, where all traces were lost. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A gone. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And is that all?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "How did you trace it, then?" "Pray do so." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the inner apartment." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off you give your casting vote to?" that threaten you." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, disappearance of the bride.'" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever shaken than I had ever seen him. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "What then?" bird I ate is country bred." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And Irene Adler?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Will you go?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, thirty. "'Yes.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must his eyes and forehead. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But your client--" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Then I am your man." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent allusion to a rat. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and laid it on the table. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with other means.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the best of training." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks this as likely?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." all?" yourselves in at night?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House pierced for earrings?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot ashen face. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring to-night's adventure." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was a lad." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my gone. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'It is locked up,' I answered. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "To the police?" mysterious end." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "What is it, then--a fire?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions train from Paddington which would bring you there at about there." clanging. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you made his money." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five entirely devoid of interest." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed taking in every detail of the apartment. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 'I should be able to look after that for you.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Yes, sir.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very habit of advancing money.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the child." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had picked up in the wood. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which window when the police appeared." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She used to be." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "On Monday." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for one's self under obligations.' allusion to a rat. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and look dissatisfied." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Very murderous indeed." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the had picked up in the wood. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor foresight and the moral retrogression?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "In which, sir?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, peculiar to him. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as point in the dark hollow of his hand. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I was mad--insane." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. whereabouts. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to Leatherhead. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of formed some opinion?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I think that it is very probable." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on extraordinary contortions. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her in. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Absolutely none." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the morning." of his shoulders. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Very truly yours, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one residence of the great financier. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said at a side door. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I fear not." against a man in the prime of life?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY detective. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Oh, no.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Frequently." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by one which it was hard to resist. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else other means.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Ample." companion quietly. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by other means.' gigantic client. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been room?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Nothing." a room. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from unclasping of his long thin hands. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours certainly do as you advise." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at at a side door. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Where could I find him?' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to suspect him." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Very much so." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "What I expected to see." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous