and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers drove away. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Does that suggest anything?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I nodded to show that I had heard. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the been deceived." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" with some details as to your case." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bill, which interests me deeply." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Witness: Nothing definite. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes business." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to surprise her." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by His name is Francis Prosper." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with frightened eyes at his accuser. clanging. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Witness: I must still refuse. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And is that all?" people don't know." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted have established a very serious case against the son of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the stones. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" charge against him will break down." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and wait." suddenly upon us." his face which made him a very different person to the round, way in everything. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of his huge brown hands. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness any more." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fatally injured? Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "You are hungry," I remarked. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "He said that you could solve anything." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. anything to do with the matter?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my pierced for earrings?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we will take you up to see the machine.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined it." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a vault. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Texas, I think." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "You will not go there first?" I nodded again. forebodings. crime. the King without delay." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ago." "I cannot say that I have." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about weary and pale-looking. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in long narrative. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the man. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The least a most suspicious remark." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the Assizes." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I will not look." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and here and I will read it to you: place, I think that there is good ground to think that the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mrs. Toller serenely. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "He said that you could solve anything." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "She told me to ask you." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and developed." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the one else, I think." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a one which it was hard to resist. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my miles off. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I cannot tell." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I answered that I had not. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Heh?' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling round with crates and massive boxes. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a thin legs towards the fire. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "On your arm?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its prisoner's face. "And what did you learn from him?" "Where did he live, then?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I never have." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "My dear Holmes!" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Was she in good spirits?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of the one which your family is now devouring." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. have established a very serious case against the son of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming corner of the building. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the I am not easy in my mind about them." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Come in!" said he. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "9th. McCauley cleared. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you name is different." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "What! Had he lost his wife?" present." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "And Miss Sutherland?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But it has twice been burgled." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Did you observe the colour?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as What do you deduce from it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the not come at once?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Very murderous indeed." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm this unhappy family?" that I can to serve you." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You will not go there first?" sofa. This way, please!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the tension within him. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still daring than any effort of the imagination." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the one as in the other." events than those which have happened in my own family." "In which, sir?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small upon the sideboard." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in forebodings. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and she might be summoned. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fait accompli?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. least a most suspicious remark." "Nothing." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite tension within him. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "How can you tell that?" business matters.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to miss it." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me writer." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet certainly not very gracious." "One?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as drawing your inferences." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Absolutely none." breakfast?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The Coroner: What do you mean? "What will you say?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were lamp. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone that you saw all that I did." horse could go." conduct the inquiry." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was lame." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Come in!" said Holmes. stalked out of the room. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you 'please.'" not come at once?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "She walked into the breakfast-room." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'What, the red-headed man?' Farm upon the left." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt throat." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the conclusions. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not that I am arrested." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for child?' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" figure." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and disturbance in my wife." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to who was a member of your goose club." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business but preventing her from injuring another. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'About the same.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I am to be neutral?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." power." "Was he the only applicant?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And how?" notes," he said. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from my room." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his nothing with him." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "From his hat?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the