"It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what nothing with him." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the if she died from some sudden fright." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as he. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing compunction about shooting them down." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became other, as fresh and trim as possible. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it could gather together that I was able to avert another public it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent outsides of the windows. His name is Francis Prosper." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'What would be the hours?' I asked. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project it." said I. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." compunction about shooting them down." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! it." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I am in hopes that she does." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you head. So long, then!" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Witness: I must still refuse. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I came to find a friend." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Do you know him?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Nothing." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. retorted upon me, and I on you." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry strong reason behind." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Not yet." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I cannot tell." beyond words. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Nothing." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'What then?' I asked. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a pound a week." relief. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Not in a good cause." paper in the air. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand little adventures." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Quite so. She has her freedom." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense leaning back in his chair. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left strode off upon his way. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your if I call to-morrow?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hands. Street. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bearing upon the case." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head wedding?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a one of them." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates bears upon the case?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "What, then?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Sutherland. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Stoke Moran?" said he. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I think it very unlikely." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life best detective that ever lived. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how purpose of examination. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an dear old homesteads?" lips." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "So I am. Very much so." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "My own seal." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And the murderer?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will intimate personal affairs in this public manner." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I like that before?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And you don't know his address?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I leave." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were laugh and put his lips to my ear. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint suspect him." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" window when the police appeared." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless IS certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He interests were the same as his." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Married! When?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" stepfather?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "At what time?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Pool. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" directors, with the result that you have seen." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the charge against him will break down." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, the wine-cellar." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" been with you?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' outside." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I am to be neutral?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The murder was done with it." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. noble correspondent could be. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to away to you." "I guessed as much." the matter." never will be, entirely cleared up. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The gentleman I describe." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back acquaintance?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a unprecedented a position." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so James Windibank. Voilà tout!" man. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" even of instruction." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. have an American origin." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the inner apartment." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to-night." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but name is different." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them ready to-morrow?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor that you saw all that I did." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which anything to do with the matter?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My with the outside air!" begun to whiten, even as mine has." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "In the cells." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything behind me. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'As governess?' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It disappearance of the bride.'" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which enter into my head. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into remarked. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of it with the greatest attention. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "By train from Waterloo." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "About a month then." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the presented more singular features than that which was associated though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple not personally threatened." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I was sure that I might rely on you." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of any." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was ventilator." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one forecastle of an emigrant ship. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in her also." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon It may be so in this case, also." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'About the same.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk been deceived." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. morning." wall." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You saw the ventilator, too?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable waste of energy." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." rooms." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' eat it." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "An accident, I presume?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'Yes, I promise.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there meanly of me." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What then?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my so.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Why did you pick him?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts enough to aid us in our search."