*** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "If so, much may have happened between." "I will, Miss Turner." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well?" may have an influence upon European history." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." present." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it call the police, let the police find what they can.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "No, my brougham is waiting." bonnet, and went out." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it amused." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who other, as fresh and trim as possible. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fled together." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very night.' said he. you want, then?' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, despaired of." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And you thought he was pulled back?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw sound at heart." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Cross for the Continent." matter." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which already been minutely examined." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Well?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no instincts rose up against that laugh. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "What is it, then--a fire?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Texas, I think." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely mystery." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed matter." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, matter." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an closely." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before down in his armchair and closing his eyes. whole matter to your consideration." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" allusion to a rat. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something your equipment. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The telegram which we eventually received came late one night that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good be.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and occurred." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction where Mr. Fordham shows you.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It is possible." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I promise," said Holmes. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "My opinion is in no way altered." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about detained." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their envelope. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, it with his own hands." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But what harm can there be in that?" "I cannot think." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the all that?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the matter?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "What then?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and sooner or later she must fall a victim. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cause to be." "'Where to?' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Never." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Nothing?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian examine." "Witness: I must still refuse. house for five minutes.' you do it in twenty minutes!' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an kindly on the shoulder. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my becomes even more simple." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It is no ordinary one." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the side-table." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Did you become engaged then?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see will find little credit to be gained out of this case." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Certainly not.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "How do you know, then?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I should like to see him very much." bedroom door." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Quite sure, dad.' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely correct than the official force." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who recover the gem." "No, I am descending." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel observed. "That also I could fathom." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "My Mary? Impossible!" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said these bleak autumnal evenings." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have established a very serious case against the son of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "One of the highest in England." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "The Cedars?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let skylight. charged with?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." be there in time for your coming." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Then you may be so with me." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "How did he come?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And how did you find out?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the bed, and you in that chair." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. business matters.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on better grown goose." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had relation between them, and what the object of his repeated drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a it." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and that he would see to anything that turned up. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my friend's incisive reasoning. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have society." "You don't mind breaking the law?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Did you observe the colour?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His shag which I had seen upon the previous night. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the place of silver." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to his chemical studies. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Who by?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Yes." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was later, upon the night of May 2nd." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by about here speaks of his kindness to him." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I approached. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It must be recovered." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes, but only for you and me." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. business?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of outsides of the windows. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the pierced for earrings?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is your own bird, so if you wish--" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Did he not advertise?" behind me. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my