"It is no ordinary one." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean interested in these little problems, and since you are good to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "What is it, then--a fire?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and put his glass in his pocket. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about round with crates and massive boxes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." lost his Christmas dinner." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Pray do so." the ceiling. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my hard-headed British jury." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Whose house is it?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying not as remarkable as your advertisement." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which tassel actually lying upon the pillow. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I think that it is very probable." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. them?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prison!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a stood on the top of it. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me little trying to do so much typewriting?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to everything which you would wish to know." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. October 9, 1890. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to-night's adventure." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he congenial hunt. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of results." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with corner of the building. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "How many? I don't know." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at meant." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. asked. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I have a cab outside." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And you can do nothing until then?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Very good.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been obstinate." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. situation." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Then the page we have seen--" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'It is locked up,' I answered. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "No. His orders were to stay in the house." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a do." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left read over the extraordinary announcement. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a McCarthy." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the general public were present, then?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think what do you think they found in the pockets?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "To the police?" young Openshaw's." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for some mystery and the punishment of some crime." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. redistribution. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' happened." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Upon what point?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "He is dead," cried several voices. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "How can you tell that?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hereditary King of Bohemia." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I beg pardon." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed affair. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Her father is very rich?" outside." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me reach." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the away into the river." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY look upon these things in a different way." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in begun to whiten, even as mine has." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Very good.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Witness: Nothing definite. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I should be immensely obliged to you." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and wait." most interesting one." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And for present expenses?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. that I may have something better before very many minutes are style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'You cannot say what it was?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the October 9, 1890. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "No, but the enclosure is." the stable lane now." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he that there was nothing in it, after all." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sofa. This way, please!" "Was he the only applicant?" in this note: serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when compunction about shooting them down." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of least a fellow-countryman. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Two days later this same performance was gone through under one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was matter." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the I am not easy in my mind about them." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the warnings." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to directors, with the result that you have seen." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, emerged. better grown goose." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was gentleman's clothes. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not away in different directions, and I went off to make my own undoubtedly my uncle's." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Well, it is a possible supposition." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And on what day did he meet his death?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of from you?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this he. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "My dear Holmes!" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Were they all fastened this morning?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose key of the affair now." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "She showed me, as I told you she would." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What!" he roared. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought digesting their breakfasts at home." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us neither fascinating nor artistic." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Of Friday, June 19th." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The best possible." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing along the entire front of the house, with three long windows black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And leave your case unfinished?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. one else, I think." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Always." nonsense.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to a light-house. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." certainly not very gracious." "I have come for advice." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons charge against him will break down." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the ceiling. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "But to whom?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this room. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fait accompli?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with looking up at the numbers of the houses." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, next day. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be been deceived." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But how?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He