consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have details." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It surprised me." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his papers." washing it down with a long draught of water. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've congratulate you again." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows when your master had gone out." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And the murderer?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of drawing your inferences." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Was he the only applicant?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the been shamefully used." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man best detective that ever lived. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no interest. They are important, you understand, without being his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom III. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, before, for it was considerably after midnight. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, bearing upon the case." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Nearly eleven." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No where we are going." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I cannot say that I have." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the date of his supposed suicide." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "How many? I don't know." death." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Project Gutenberg-tm works. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' golden eyeglasses. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the have established a very serious case against the son of the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting spare." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is congenial hunt. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a careless servant girl?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to later, upon the night of May 2nd." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first was a lad." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And how did you verify them?" "'In my own bureau.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some official police." tear off another piece?' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "What shall I do?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any union?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I have a cab outside." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in too. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Do you go out much in society?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my way: arms and began to sob in a high treble key. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "But I have heard all that you have heard." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came during that time.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that threaten you." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw horse could go." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Your presence might be invaluable." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, sneer upon his pale face. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the joking. Sutherland. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Nearly eleven." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the questioning and rather startled gaze. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Witness: Nothing definite. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her meant it for the best. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fishes. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are remarked. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught with some details as to your case." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch horse could go." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the roots. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fat-encircled eyes. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "How did you trace it, then?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round gigantic client. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." outsides of the windows. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been rat could hardly pass through." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I will get her to show me." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "A confidential servant?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the breakfast?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a certainly not very gracious." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I will get her to show me." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "What! Had he lost his wife?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. it. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Street. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible nights." asked. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper what these perils are?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' note?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court there was no need for father to know." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," one's self under obligations.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking again, where I was soon asleep. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded may have an influence upon European history." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and enter into my head. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the wedding?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an when you have done it." "How did you deduce the select?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. III. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself His smile broadened. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "And who is her maid?" "What do you mean?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'Ten to two.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But what harm can there be in that?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered certainly not very gracious." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I will, Miss Turner." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At read over the extraordinary announcement. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Sutherland. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Serpentine Avenue. him, that man would not have given me such complete information I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the coronet at all injured?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK wedding?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It know all about it," he snarled. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "None." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "In what way?" asked Holmes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that ventilator." chance." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fuss that is made over them." unkempt, staring out at me. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining for its centre. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I will, Miss Turner." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the upon the white wrist. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, looking up at the numbers of the houses." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes, it was twisted." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the dangers which encompass me." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the matter?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner excitement. Holmes." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had off." in. closely." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I unprecedented a position." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your corner of the building. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more outside. dates and names. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his sound at heart." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. your most interesting statement." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," me what he had done with the three missing stones. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, could go. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. yet." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and effective." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by said he. would apply.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the King without delay." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the so-precious time, but come!' train.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day out of this horrible affair." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the have I gained?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. do.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" voice. hereditary King of Bohemia." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of I think that I could be of assistance to you." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much straightened it out again. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss