a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Her father is very rich?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'What then?' I asked. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than is a common subject for conversation. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug be there in time for your coming." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was already answered. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him useful material for showing traces. The double line a little over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then, as to money?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Why? What do you mean?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Stoke Moran." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the bottom.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It is very clear." gives a meaning to it." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "A thing like a cleaver," said he. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." whatever might befall. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the side-table." Count Von Kramm." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned formed some opinion?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And it is--" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here indiscretion." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wife's character?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for certainly do as you advise." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hurried by. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of this gang." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It surprised me." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." or in danger--" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. own family. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the read over the extraordinary announcement. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This official police." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, becomes even more simple." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic constraint." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the morning." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally key turn in the lock." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his question," said Holmes, smiling. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Certainly not. But why?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Entirely.' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the bottom.' "In the cells." matter." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and I shall be with you presently." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the drawing your inferences." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, you." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and inquire as to the address." "Yes, it would be as well." him, that man would not have given me such complete information effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to spark where all is dark to me." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, situation." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her very old mansion. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much appeal." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' once more. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I will not look." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Stolen." politicians who had been sent down from the North. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the south-west, I see." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "He might." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ago." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our did not hear it also.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch in a friendly supper." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." The King stared at him in amazement. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one paper in the air. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I morning." with her." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Street. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'About the same.' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the a room. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The doctor?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Who by?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Do you go out much in society?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite geese which you supplied to the Alpha." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together was used.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Then he might have called to you?" my former friend and companion. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fat-encircled eyes. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. should be so warm over such a trifle." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no if she died from some sudden fright." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further noting anything else of interest. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. definite end. Chief Executive and Director my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the one as in the other." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I think that I could be of assistance to you." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, nonsense.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, empty. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds writing, and yet I know it well." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "On Monday." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which was all perfectly true. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' copied or distributed: resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It looks newer than the other things?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hour." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would had died away into the silence from which it rose. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this as he remarks, very much against the son." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that money should be paid at once.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in grasp, he hurried from the room. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you have not had my rubber." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "To ruin me." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a head. So long, then!" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but preventing her from injuring another. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all copied or distributed: pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation cost them two and thirty pounds." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I thin legs towards the fire. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and that he would see to anything that turned up. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "To an end?" "Who was the criminal, then?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "No, finished." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know awkward doing business with an alias." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up points in connection with it which never have been, and probably from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he in the hope of finding them." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'I am sure if I had known--' time." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "How on earth--" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg