and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the over with notes and figures. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Not him." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But what harm can there be in that?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, one's self under obligations.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Your French gold?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "My dear Holmes!" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet all that?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Leave Paddington by the 11:15." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Frequently." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in presented more singular features than that which was associated gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Which are?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and whether it answered to the description of any of their had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Never to return." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always direction." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem few hundred pounds.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending get her out of the way." himself. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found over his head with a sweet womanly caress. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being clang of the bell. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the despair." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Most admirably.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone threw himself down with his face to the pillow. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of directors, with the result that you have seen." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Entirely." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I have solved it." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Was he the only applicant?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I cannot think." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 really the only notable feature about the thing." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, these bleak autumnal evenings." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical http://www.gutenberg.net "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was all-comprehensive glances. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And what did you see?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the inquest, and which are worth considering." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I young Openshaw's." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But he might be a bachelor." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and new duties?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in morning." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I depend upon your compliance." "May I see it?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Look there!" said he. Sutherland. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have straighten it?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Really! You surprise me." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "My last client of the sort was a king." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "How many? I don't know." wife's character?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then open." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident as yours." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" on re-entering her father's house?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'I am sure that I do not know.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of receipt of the work. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." who was a member of your goose club." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all it right.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the foot. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it voice. companion imperturbably. appeared upon the scene." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his if I call to-morrow?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram directly by questioning you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, from Horsham." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself through." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his himself to hunt down. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that you can jump it.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, new duties?' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Gutenberg-tm License. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And what did you learn from him?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fluttered off among the others. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What do you make of that, Watson?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me nothing of it?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. as he remarks, very much against the son." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I think that I could be of assistance to you." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "In San Francisco, a year ago." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, certainly not very gracious." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Only as much as we can deduce." me what he had done with the three missing stones. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, with the outside air!" when your master had gone out." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study she used." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. know what is wrong with it.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and your relations to her." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for them?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and a shock of very red hair. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Leadenhall Street--and--" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to open." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And how did you verify them?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the loss of it. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front swore that no one else had been in the front room during the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is his hat." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the bottom.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock will find little credit to be gained out of this case." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Upon what point?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "In answer to an advertisement." this remarkable episode. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his photograph?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned during which he might have communicated with his friend the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were where she found matters as described by the last witness. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "What steps will you take?" I asked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing out of this horrible affair." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; away into the river." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This records." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "But how did you gain them?" should be taken.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly villagers almost as much as their master. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And I." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was followed. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built The summons was a brief and urgent one. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I fashion which was peculiar to him. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune whatever might befall. hurried away. said I. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive any more." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I guessed as much." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "BALLARAT." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "That is it on the dressing-table." returned to France?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that I can to serve you." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "That is also quite modern," said the lady. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." tell me that you intended to go into harness." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." not fit the lock." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fishes. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Here?"