"One of the highest in England." returning from some small jollification and was making his way the roots. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will enough to aid us in our search." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "What I expected to see." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you upon an income of about 60 pounds." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Now, then, what's the last entry?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I should be immensely obliged to you." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so your bag." indeed happy." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an past. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I took the paper from him and read as follows: to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "How many? I don't know." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and glanced through. beg that you will break it off." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. felt?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the within hail.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which peculiar to him. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full impression behind it as though a window had gently closed them?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." delighted to hear it," he said. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank outside." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "How did he come?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon child?' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had too. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'I have already given you my word.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Street. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "What will you do, then?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, orange pips. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "It was." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me use an arc-and-compass breastpin." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" paper in the air. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for digesting their breakfasts at home." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, neither fascinating nor artistic." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the very morning of the wedding." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is guilty parties." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'I shall certainly be there.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Count Von Kramm." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." purpose equally well?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "You have compromised yourself seriously." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Which dealer's?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." questioning and rather startled gaze. "In what way?" asked Holmes. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Farm upon the left." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Mrs. Toller serenely. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' get her out of the way." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, questioning and rather startled gaze. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." it with his own hands." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must sparkled upon his finger. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of pictures, libraries, or plate. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and have this put in the evening papers." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he charge against him will break down." "None. Neville wrote those words." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes. He waved his hands." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem did not hear it also.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss woven round him. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the derbies." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You have compromised yourself seriously." bill, which interests me deeply." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wedding?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Of what?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Yes, certainly." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Project Gutenberg-tm works. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own beyond words. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "She will not sell." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. straightened it out again. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It's nothing of the kind." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to-morrow." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass you." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after photograph?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Yes, but only for you and me." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." any little problem which you may submit to me." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and coroner's jury." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had lost nothing by them." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "And from a noble client?" chance at all." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted tell them apart.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked himself to tell his story. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "By no means." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It certainly sounds feasible." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Munro.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a monotonous occupation." to-night?" I asked. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to take care of herself." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Tell me all about it,' said I. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "A thing like a cleaver," said he. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This cup of tea. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch said I. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The place of silver." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in definite end. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Edgeware Road. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the matter?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in the port of London." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' companion imperturbably. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that threaten you." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as your Highness to the police-station?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your cigar and let me expound." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to have been novel and of interest." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life question," said Holmes, smiling. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Mrs. Toller serenely. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks lamp in his hand. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the late." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Countess of Morcar's?" "Absolutely?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned absolutely follow my advice in every respect." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not delirious. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Nothing." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY nonsense.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune behind me. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What then?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the coronet in his hand?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and the colonel ushered me in. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prison!" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate bachelor.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I leave." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a is so. I know all about McCarthy." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "A confidential servant?" "Did your wife hear all this?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have with frightened eyes at his accuser. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through begin with, and I had not got mine yet." happened." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that redistribution. straightened it out again. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Which are?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But your client--" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb drove away. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good photograph a cabinet?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of it with the greatest attention. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I details." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Pool. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was all that?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son front of the hall door has given its name to the place. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man meant it for the best. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "You were travelling in the States?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is records." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" too. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all national property. I was determined that the law should have its that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began From what you have told me I think that it is possible that What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "10th. John Swain cleared. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth.