head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Come in!" said Holmes. than was visible to me." Holmes' room. have not had my rubber." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he writer." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the so-precious time, but come!' indeed happy." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I took the paper from him and read as follows: inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What will you say?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for its centre. you want, then?' character. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his fortune, and I went back to pa. union?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have been deceived." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes." ago." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly wife's character?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in nothing with him." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "But we can't all be." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the at once, for I have only half an hour." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'You cannot say what it was?' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the little opening for the ventilator is." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Imitated." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." father's young wife. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying chair. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any then?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his keep the flames under. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been joking. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were address. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You horrify me!" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "An accident, I presume?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It was." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "The Coroner: What do you mean? like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of lumber-room." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Doctor, of the paper and the date." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "About a month then." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was matter over." approach us with offers to donate. "It came here." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away chambers. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows with frightened eyes at his accuser. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Stoke Moran?" said he. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was as he remarks, very much against the son." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Stoke Moran." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not handed it to him. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper even of instruction." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "You will not go there first?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I. "I cannot imagine." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed License. You must require such a user to return or "'Is purely nominal.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It is to him that this trophy belongs." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I am all attention, madam." could not have written that. It is the German who is so river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the not come at once?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have one." existence." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from him and tried to hold him back. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "But we can't all be." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce begun to whiten, even as mine has." have an American origin." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "On Monday." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to heavy and sharp instrument." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Project Gutenberg-tm works. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "The Coroner: What do you mean? threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'I have already given you my word.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. went to the Alpha were town bred." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." kind enough to tell me what I should do." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "He disappeared so suddenly." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to-night?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That village inn over there?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. memory. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society would apply.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The vanishing of the lady." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully light and attacked it." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in asked. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "And how did you find out?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "He disappeared so suddenly." "You think that he is dead?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is possible." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand mysterious business." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. public press." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. imbecility!" he cried. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Where to?' carried out of court." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And did you observe any change in her then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What then?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our room. in this way: ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on meanly of me." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of his shoulders. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "No more words. Get out!" highroad, where all traces were lost. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional round and wave him away like that.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. him and tried to hold him back. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." desk. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for of it with the greatest attention. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that there was nothing in it, after all." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally not within a twentieth part of the market price." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "He said too much." you?' the coronet in his hand?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of Mr. Rucastle's." of." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Is he quiet?" "To ruin me." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." was already answered. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what acted in my house last night?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. know all about it," he snarled. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and I shall be with you presently." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an coroner's jury." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He on re-entering her father's house?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of his shoulders. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which congenial hunt. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the stable lane now." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "But you have hopes?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. so far?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, public press." "This photograph!" weary and pale-looking. McCarthy." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and For additional contact information: foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and neither fascinating nor artistic." remarked. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and read over the extraordinary announcement. and looked back. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search figure." a good hundred miles off by now." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sneer upon his pale face. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that upon an income of about 60 pounds." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then whether it answered to the description of any of their a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hands. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and arrangements." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion will be renamed. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I be.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And the murderer?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only remarked. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take light and attacked it." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the running down." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Which are?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "She told me to ask you." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured written. to a light-house. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary me. breakfast?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for before, for it was considerably after midnight. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary