my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had this final quarrel? pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of the way of danger. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fish-monger and a tide-waiter." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But we can't all be." His smile broadened. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Very murderous indeed." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I think that it is very probable." retorted upon me, and I on you." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the less than 26s. 4d. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My photograph." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "You have but to name it." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or ordinary clothes on?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the Assizes." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "The King of Scandinavia." sparkled upon his finger. you in your example." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and in this note: "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very appeal." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during chill to my heart. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Of Friday, June 19th." cost them two and thirty pounds." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one people don't know." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my drawing your inferences." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Holmes." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with gone. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master perplexity from it to my illustrious client. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But you can know nothing of this?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure For additional contact information: in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Do you know him?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and I shall be with you presently." nice household for a young lady." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon answer." remarked. "Very murderous indeed." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the this as likely?" miles off. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "How do you know, then?" carriage. It was a chestnut." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was not come at once?" page at http://pglaf.org "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to photograph?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch vault. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I answered that I had not. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yes, sir." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Mary, has deserted me." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am you?' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right congenial hunt. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I have my revolver," said I. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And how?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He is still with you, I presume?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Ah!" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her key turn in the lock." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your October 9, 1890. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Pool. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Then, how do you know?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm back to my heart. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my article?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' face and glided from the room. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Then I can wait in the next room." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I think that he is innocent?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back noting anything else of interest. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. go from here to the Strand." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by not personally threatened." has little to do with my story." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his there!' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And Miss Sutherland?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' tell them apart.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some train.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have had none more fantastic than this." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You think that he is dead?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "In San Francisco, a year ago." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously used to be." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from handed it to him. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in depend upon your compliance." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "No, finished." and the colonel ushered me in. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "A call for help, you thought?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. exactly what you advise." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of touch that coronet?' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have observed. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some along the entire front of the house, with three long windows plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. observed. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of detective. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs least a fellow-countryman. society." What do you deduce from it?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that before taking the final step I should like to submit the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "And why?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far look upon these things in a different way." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Leadenhall Street--and--" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Frequently." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Stolen." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I cannot as yet see any connection." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shall not find me ungrateful." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to in his hands." taking in every detail of the apartment. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "In the cells." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than directors, with the result that you have seen." what is your own theory as to what took place?" place of silver." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. too. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to take care of herself." it were putty." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was bachelor.' "Perhaps I have." had this final quarrel? "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Never,' said I. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would salesman. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I cannot say that I have." may never be exposed to such a temptation." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and This is what he says: this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally lost his Christmas dinner." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them present such singular features as the strange train of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for said I. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "That you are never beaten." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the window, rose as we entered. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Yes, I promise.' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had head. So long, then!" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I shall be delighted." strong and stiff." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt you." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "She will not sell." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "That is unusual in a young girl." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face taking in every detail of the apartment. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a on re-entering her father's house?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" what is your own theory as to what took place?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an