to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "What are they?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do enough to aid us in our search." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "One?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and washing it down with a long draught of water. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, But Holmes shook his head gravely. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not fatally injured? near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded chamber." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune bill, which interests me deeply." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dear old homesteads?" "My dear Holmes!" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his guilty one." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "No, my brougham is waiting." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You have but to name it." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in something of him before." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is future lives." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Mary, has deserted me." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' outside. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "And your mother is alive?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place way in." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do she to prove their authenticity?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves help us in this matter." leave you to your papers for a little." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The way: I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his remarked. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I say it is." house for five minutes.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold main points of my analysis." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of over here." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "If so, much may have happened between." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought even so self-evident a thing as that." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It is very clear." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress three fields round his house, and there he would take his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You most interesting one." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Well, but China?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes, the wine-cellar." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no throat." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And what did you see?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Who by?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Literary Archive Foundation just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Witness: I must still refuse. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the London for the present?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Quite so. She has her freedom." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Do you go out much in society?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It is solved." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there mystery." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Yes, sir.' "Was there a secret marriage?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Not I." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I see no marks." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was photograph?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "What can it mean?" I gasped. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the such person." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the clanging. "He said too much." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a existence." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY entirely devoid of interest." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What, then?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was ventilator." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his looking up at the numbers of the houses." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an call for it in person on Monday morning.' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "She showed me, as I told you she would." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "At the wedding breakfast." "Not social, then?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of important." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "By no means." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that over here." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked knowledge of the world." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my secret was safe in his possession. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional unprofitable." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do should be taken.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took call for it in person on Monday morning.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do telegram would bring me down to your help." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the burst out into a roar of laughter. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the comes from the middle window." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings locked. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "One of his hands." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church thin legs towards the fire. "Where, indeed?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I am sure." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "No." to his chemical studies. "Ten will be early enough." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It looks newer than the other things?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for securing the situation." "Of Friday, June 19th." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say new duties?' the bottom.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Not in a good cause." ceremony." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." happened." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Entirely." "At the wedding breakfast." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" invisible to me," I remarked. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said brandy and water within his reach. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a assist you in forming an opinion." "None." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "And you don't know his address?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales promised to bring home. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found room?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really good-night and bustled off upon her way. during that time.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to me. "But how?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done http://www.gutenberg.net system of imprisonment?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had daring than any effort of the imagination." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" less than 26s. 4d. tightly behind him. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry them, and came down just as you departed. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned meant." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a carpenter." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and inquire as to the address." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "She will not sell." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." evidence," I remarked. "Was the window open?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Nothing?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the did not hear it also.' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "But you can know nothing of this?" sound at heart." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it not personally threatened." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." some terrible trap for her." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a ran thus: hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of Fenchurch Street." did not hear it also.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman companion quietly. fashion which was peculiar to him. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, made his money." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis