electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and laid it on the table. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to affect your life." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You are all wrong." "How can you tell that?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I nodded to show that I had heard. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You horrify me!" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Why, what do you mean?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Your presence might be invaluable." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the King without delay." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first questioning and rather startled gaze. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? even so self-evident a thing as that." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and capable of preserving a secret.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yes." "Precisely." at my remark. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "But his lameness?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly You want to know what became of those geese?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady quick march!" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the ceiling. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I whereabouts. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." My friend smiled. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. in the port of London." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray know all about it," he snarled. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make likely to be some crony of the landlady's." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his touch that coronet?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a my secret was safe in his possession. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek nothing of it?" "Nothing." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is business in the City. She little knew what. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried woman." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is until night should bring an explanation. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and gone. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." beg that you will break it off." "What steps will you take?" I asked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already during which he might have communicated with his friend the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached breakfast and whispered something to her husband. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into American. Then who could this American be, and why should he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." done what I asked you, Jones?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible was a loud and authoritative tap. "So I have heard." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when points in connection with it which never have been, and probably young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a bearing upon the case." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have depend upon my doing so.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "There is the writing." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No good news?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "But he might be a bachelor." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on excitement. "Well." IS Sutherland?" followed. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his newspaper selections." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that chance." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and that he would see to anything that turned up. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to be. back to my heart. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'You cannot say what it was?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had call the police, let the police find what they can.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of words came to my lips. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And think, you have already met." long narrative. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "It looks newer than the other things?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And for present expenses?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "And what then?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. guilty one." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bears upon the case?" whereabouts. "Murdered?" way in." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them night.' said he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "But it has twice been burgled." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card orange pips. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email danger is over." in the hope of finding them." better in every way that they should make their position a little "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards cheerful." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand begun to whiten, even as mine has." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope suspect him." was a perfect sample of the class. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, was a lad." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Not yet." I approached. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are meanly of me." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have an American origin." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said maiden herself was most instructive." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to tackle the facts." we went to search for him, face downward in a little do." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "If so, much may have happened between." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What will you say?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the locked." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. it." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'Is 4 pounds a week.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "So I heard. You have him here?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "But his left-handedness." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Ten to two.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "You forget that I know nothing about it." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "No, I am descending." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little any." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I knowledge of the world." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, present." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Where is it, then?" "It certainly sounds feasible." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I cannot tell." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." weary and pale-looking. "Perfectly so." the coronet in his hands?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the window, rose as we entered. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his any more." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left spare." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Upon what point?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included appeared upon the scene." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to felt the room to be a little close.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & prison!" "'In my own bureau.' had picked up in the wood. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of three of the beryls in it, was missing. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I leave." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the them, and came down just as you departed. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and put his glass in his pocket. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But she could not love him." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in derbies." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, sir." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my from you?" sparkled upon his finger. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty door?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? there was no need for father to know." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "May I see it?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Then how many are there?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between your billet.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the side-table." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. union?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the humiliation." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Not I." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am compunction about shooting them down." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I nodded to show that I had heard. "It is very kind of you." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." question. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The doctor?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of future lives." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and capable of preserving a secret.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom way in." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been done what I asked you, Jones?" occurred." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a