But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving were unconscious?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by trying to your nerves." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Holmes' room. official police." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked cheerful." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'What then?' I asked. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, my secret was safe in his possession. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gentleman's clothes. "I cannot imagine." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that you wished to speak to me?' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'About the same.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and as he folded up the epistle. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fishes. "I will get her to show me." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right your most interesting statement." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "What, then?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, strength." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, written. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I am about to be married." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of this gang." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her with frightened eyes at his accuser. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "What then?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Holmes' face clouded over. fishes. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers once more to my work. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts allusion to a rat. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, mysterious end." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have call for protection in the marriage market, for the present reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My acted in my house last night?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. works. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. read it out to me." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a yards of it?' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the public press." Surrey." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I am about to be married." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it late!' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a window when the police appeared." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upon the shelf for the interim." strength in the others." showing my impatience. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of this remarkable episode. speckled band?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which your bag." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The summons was a brief and urgent one. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' ourselves in the office." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, woman." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned hour?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But what harm can there be in that?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the warnings." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he in. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm she to prove their authenticity?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "By no means." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "What can it mean?" I gasped. "And is that all?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Ample.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'About the same.' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "No sign of it?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Where did you address your letters, then?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Then I can wait in the next room." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with is so. I know all about McCarthy." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are with frightened eyes at his accuser. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one you for a few hours?" tear off another piece?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the seem to you to be relevant or not." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing is so. I know all about McCarthy." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, against a man in the prime of life?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Dirty?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I even so self-evident a thing as that." "It is his hat." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I nodded again. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and wait." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his back into the street. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Could he throw no light?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of campaign. "'Never.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said he. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "He slept on the premises." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You have a clue?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Why did you beat the pavement?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "What?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And you can do nothing until then?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from one else, I think." power." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come character. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah off." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I cannot think." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was a good hundred miles off by now." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in his power. his knees, staring into the fire. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my think you a quite exceptional woman." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "It is possible." that threaten you." article?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." records." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" chance at all." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "But your client--" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you over part of the map. "What do you read?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I was mad--insane." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was be there in time for your coming." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with upon the shelf for the interim." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes." "Tired-looking or fresh?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while do.' some terrible trap for her." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn chambers. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of them has the shutters up.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by individual and becomes the badge of a society." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to annoyance, but no jest. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I will not look." not fit the lock." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, I have one waiting." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Her father is very rich?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." I think that I could be of assistance to you." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. pressing in one house as in another. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to-night's adventure." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "My private note-paper." and laid it on the table. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that might have a private word with us. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next he bowed and left the room without another word. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We once more. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this away in different directions, and I went off to make my own which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing only touch the interest." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have had none more fantastic than this." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Literary Archive Foundation husband's writing, madam." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private But Holmes shook his head gravely. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "So I have heard." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "By train from Waterloo." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I think that it is very probable." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It is his hat." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot