springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to washing it down with a long draught of water. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a three of the beryls in it, was missing. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Nothing." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to will take you up to see the machine.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed not within a twentieth part of the market price." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was papers on the sundial.'" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, business in the City. She little knew what. evidence," I remarked. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that he will be back before evening." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'How far from the body?' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'A dozen yards or so.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote reach." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, finished." to Leatherhead. fluttered off among the others. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Will you bet, then?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You forget that I know nothing about it." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to change my dress. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a companion. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Can I be of assistance?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "To an end?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through power." to miss it." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your My friend smiled. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "We must sit without light. He would see it through the conceal it?" married her." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and wait." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple His name is Francis Prosper." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "No legal papers or certificates?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two man. I know him from the photograph." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "What?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and was a lad." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his future lives." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque them present such singular features as the strange train of "She walked into the breakfast-room." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out room had already been engaged for us. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who good for you to do.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if it right.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those again." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my is acting for the best. such person." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. carriage. It was a chestnut." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from better grown goose." already been minutely examined." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and all of them with the keenest interest. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It came here." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Is purely nominal.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. about. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "The Cedars?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was your equipment. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told guilty one." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Stolen." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, happened." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, 1.F. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and prisoner's face. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing wall." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Then, as to money?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and capable of preserving a secret.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a tapping his fingers upon the table. "Why did you beat the pavement?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of cigars in their mouths. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang constraint." your bag." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the British peeress.'" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. business came to an end." four million human beings all jostling each other within the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The vanishing of the lady." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. unkempt, staring out at me. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Breckinridge is his name." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly weighed down with some great anxiety. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Pray do so." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'What, the red-headed man?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary possible that we could bring him back to her? James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "If I can be of use." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in observed. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At one of the states of the Union." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close followed. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have an American origin." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "He said too much." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Yes, I promise.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT cigar and let me expound." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But he might be a bachelor." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "No good news?" rat could hardly pass through." it were putty." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "But the mystery?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an him." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Where did he live, then?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other himself to tell his story. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 'please.'" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying mysterious end." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." pressing in one house as in another. "'Yes, sir.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A question you as to those details which seem to me to be most ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "By no means." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. maid will bring up your coffee." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Then the page we have seen--" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing will take you up to see the machine.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as question. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to throat." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, paper in the air. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever indiscretion." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this use an arc-and-compass breastpin." best detective that ever lived. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for visitors." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and the church but not where the lady lived." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to closely." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. may have an influence upon European history." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Yes." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Pray do so." door?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the said Mr. Holder. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am outside." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I warn you that they are very incomplete." conclusions. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." least a most suspicious remark." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible any more." "That is easily got." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the matter." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between washing it down with a long draught of water. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Could he throw no light?" the one as in the other." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. call it cruel." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I do." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose other, as fresh and trim as possible. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner best detective that ever lived. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I held the little printed slip to the light. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had no one to advise her at such a crisis." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in power." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "What have you to say now?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "No, but the enclosure is." power." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." society." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of receipt of the work. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "There is the writing."