"Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Very good.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I fear not." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Precisely." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I system of imprisonment?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly imbecility!" he cried. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather examine." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most daring than any effort of the imagination." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be so.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "And it is--" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself know what is wrong with it.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Who was the criminal, then?" if I call to-morrow?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources see me here to avoid scandal." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'I have heard so.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the warnings." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this washing it down with a long draught of water. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I am still in the dark." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy there." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque into the room. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and standing smiling on the door-step. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Was there a secret marriage?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hard-headed British jury." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. bill, which interests me deeply." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'Most admirably.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally gives a meaning to it." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord evidence," I remarked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was feeling which was the fattest.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be have an American origin." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Indeed! Whose, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "He disappeared so suddenly." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of south, for the country is more deserted there." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. this poor creature." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy must compliment you." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you in your example." "My dear Holmes!" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a at home. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and have had none more fantastic than this." "'Yes.' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "How can you tell that?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the address that was given us in the advertisement. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' like that before?" existence." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance My friend smiled. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No presume?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I photograph?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger DAMAGE. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: light and attacked it." gone before you can get him to hospital." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Why serious?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of sound at heart." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "But of what society?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "We must have a cab." them, and came down just as you departed. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing true." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, directors, with the result that you have seen." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his wife has ceased to love him." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest rose-bushes. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, IS cigars in the box." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." upon the sideboard." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, people in all walks of life. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the stable lane now." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had died away into the silence from which it rose. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. woman." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Then I can wait in the next room." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered all?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in burst out into a roar of laughter. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and six. Come in!" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bonnet, and went out." "Very murderous indeed." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "What is it?" enter into my head. III. yet." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, situation." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as yours." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, at the mines." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Holmes' thin, eager face. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Then how many are there?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "But your client--" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands it were putty." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason you, my dear young lady?' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Well." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And how in the world did you find them?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time suddenly upon us." was a lad." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away breakfast?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Never,' said I. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" himself to hunt down. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to was not a bird to be seen there. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You have the photograph?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly quickly through a disagreeable task. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted been able to understand it, in a very few words. lamp. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind married her." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the roots. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "It is true that I have been generally successful." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "What office?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Yes, sir.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with his grey eyes. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Did your wife hear all this?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Yes, I promise.' "'Certainly,' I answered. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to to-night's adventure." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly respectable self." could not have written that. It is the German who is so their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes' room. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little maid will bring up your coffee." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to observed. with some details as to your case." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is," said he presently: brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. works. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of little trying to do so much typewriting?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Deserted you?" "I am in hopes that she does." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'And what are they worth?' I asked. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled October 9, 1890. someone who had been in Australia." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Do you know him?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Nothing?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that plantation.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should hurried by. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "How did he come?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Absolutely?" instituted." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Have you good authority for what you say?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it at once, for I have only half an hour." morning." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been he. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Have you her photograph?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and the church but not where the lady lived." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Did he not advertise?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or asked with his eyes open. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Here?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow,