"At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the leave you to your papers for a little." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the at my own good fortune. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What will you do, then?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Nothing." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "No, finished." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having she to prove their authenticity?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Will you bet, then?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting would then never go into court at all." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Very truly yours, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in client, rising. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And I." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Where does the thing come from?' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able dates and names. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "But who is he?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Will you go?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and looked back. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 'please.'" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a charge against him will break down." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to not, dad?" she asked. "Yes, sir." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Which are?" have an American origin." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "9th. McCauley cleared. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! appointment with me for six o'clock?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of ourselves in the office." it." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to arrive at through this?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the unprofitable." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Pray do so." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said plantation.' matter." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over neither fascinating nor artistic." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. bears upon the case?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'How far from the body?' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of instituted." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in him nearly every evening." "I don't believe it." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed throat." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "That is not always so easy." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." this unhappy family?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hand, madam?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "How can you tell that?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a until night should bring an explanation. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door read over the extraordinary announcement. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Where does the thing come from?' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and I shall be with you presently." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but washing it down with a long draught of water. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after sofa. This way, please!" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just yards of it?' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I cannot as yet see any connection." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, out of this horrible affair." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "His face fell immediately. "Why? What do you mean?" room?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel frequently gained my first real insight into the character of His name is Francis Prosper." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that nice household for a young lady." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of wedding?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work lamp in his hand. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I must compliment you." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "A client, then?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes pound a week." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. writer." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which you for a few hours?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Certainly not. But why?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "BALLARAT." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I cannot think." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and put his glass in his pocket. been deceived." "No bad?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Do you know him?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the to me. 11:15.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the running down." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand locked." in the port of London." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing putting in the horse. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the constraint." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved allusion to a rat. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I see many objections to any such theory." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "That is easily got." "When did it break out?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I held the little printed slip to the light. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Yes, sir." eavesdroppers?' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and laid it on the table. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way go--none." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, matters immensely." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Proceed, then." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his one of them." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Holmes, the busybody!" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. of receipt of the work. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining never will be, entirely cleared up. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which we had just quitted. "Could he throw no light?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could guilty parties." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I was afraid that you were engaged." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I will get her to show me." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an there has been an enclosure here!" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I know where it is." him!" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. golden eyeglasses. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the child." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking was once confined in the cab my mission was practically dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If be sorry for having acted so harshly." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "What I expected to see." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by awkward doing business with an alias." of the vacancies.' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in such person." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander night.' said he. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil second." "Texas, I think." and no precautions can guard against." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am call the police, let the police find what they can.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. for the market.' advice." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Nothing." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the meanly of me." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though next day. was feeling which was the fattest.' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and mysterious business." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "No, my brougham is waiting." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "What will you say?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Yes, sir.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case