he. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments business in the City. She little knew what. lectures into a series of tales." relief. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Certainly." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Where to?' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. we went to search for him, face downward in a little other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon away in different directions, and I went off to make my own these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And is that all?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, arrested. You then--" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And how have you succeeded?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" outside. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and I shall be with you presently." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am again on its way. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And the cigar-holder?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "And how did you find out?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there fuss that is made over them." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I am armed." back to my heart. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Which surely he restored to their owner?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No more words. Get out!" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "His face fell immediately. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss all?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, that you wished to speak to me?' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the south-west, I see." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And how have you succeeded?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's door?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "To an end?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day nonsense.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not remarked. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Which are?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. British peeress.'" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "None." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we foot. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. as the one I chose?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "What shall I do?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was shining brightly. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he respectable self." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "If I can be of use." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and man. I know him from the photograph." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to good-night and bustled off upon her way. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It is solved." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding handed it to him. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens showing my impatience. "What do you make of that, Watson?" note?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but returning from some small jollification and was making his way somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we light and attacked it." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I became a certainty. your troubles." have an American origin." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "One?" "BALLARAT." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "What! Had he lost his wife?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that there was nothing in it, after all." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Holmes." the one as in the other." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this residence of the great financier. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I think that it is very probable." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the window, rose as we entered. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the loss of it. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in his hands." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" forehead. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and shall probably return to London by the evening train." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of your young ladies.' "Then, as to money?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry laugh and put his lips to my ear. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom for securing the situation." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time written, and locked the door of the office after me. "She told me to ask you." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Precisely so. But how--" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I have a cab outside." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And Miss Sutherland?" "Where, then, is my wife?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted you came in." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "She told me to ask you." "I will get her to show me." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the allusion to a rat. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I will take you up to see the machine.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And your mother is alive?" "It is solved." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite client, rising. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Then I shall certainly come." pierced for earrings?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I will do it." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money questioning and rather startled gaze. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of narrative." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that I can to serve you." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I was certainly surprised to find you there." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right thin legs towards the fire. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the keep the flames under. key of the affair now." "And on what day did he meet his death?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. for securing the situation." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. miles off. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "But the mystery?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize situation." take the flies, but not before." six. Come in!" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over started for the Temple to see my husband. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. call it cruel." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just colour had been driven from his face. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back yards of it?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold away to you." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able bird I ate is country bred." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Where, then?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "My dear Holmes!" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a memory. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" awkward doing business with an alias." "Then, how do you know?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Did you become engaged then?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' some city in a dream. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon annoyance, but no jest. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I will try. What is it?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Eyford at 11:15.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of pound a week." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how is worth.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well?" passage and a tap at the door. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other gigantic client. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the were wasted." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and a shock of very red hair. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know intrusion of other matters." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Yes, sir.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I get the tickets." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my amused." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Arthur Conan Doyle trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you is four-and-twenty." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat his huge brown hands. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and files of the old papers, following the future career of every You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where felt the room to be a little close.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You horrify me." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for few hundred pounds.' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money