little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. investigation." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of it right.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and looked back. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What, then?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my McCarthy's innocence. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of this gang." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no roused himself from his reverie. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the astonishment. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction This is what he says: breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And how did he make his money?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass four million human beings all jostling each other within the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. anything to do with the matter?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lost his Christmas dinner." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. on re-entering her father's house?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "I think that it is very probable." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "About a month then." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "He disappeared so suddenly." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we horse could go." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, wife's character?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a McCarthy's innocence. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I warn you that they are very incomplete." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It is very clear." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with some details as to your case." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a father's young wife. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Won't it ring?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. which are rolled in Rotterdam." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped redistribution. "What shall I do?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then how many are there?" anything to do with the matter?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. from you?" ashen face. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the ventilator." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I will try. What is it?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? against a man in the prime of life?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Does that suggest anything?" roused himself from his reverie. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence weigh very heavily upon my conscience." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "They are typewritten," I remarked. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and is worth.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." unprofitable." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless which was all perfectly true. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the loss of it. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bled considerably." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "An enemy?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY For additional contact information: Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. go back?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Yes?" "But she will refuse." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire highroad, where all traces were lost. outbreak?" once more. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Then what has happened to him?" nights." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the window when the police appeared." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and breakfast?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, get the tickets." fled together." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same really the only notable feature about the thing." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What! a murderous attack?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three man. I know him from the photograph." "What, then, did Peterson do?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fuss that is made over them." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and despaired of." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, wanted for ourselves." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his cane at the bell-pull. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Yes, sir.' "My dear Holmes!" maiden herself was most instructive." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'No, I know no one in these parts.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush tassel actually lying upon the pillow. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a you, my dear young lady?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And how in the world did you find them?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of said he. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that I can to serve you." to a light-house. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and have this put in the evening papers." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I shall be delighted." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been room?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and remarked. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that records." "He said too much." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Yes, I have one waiting." You want to know what became of those geese?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done cigar and let me expound." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You forget that I know nothing about it." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin this remarkable episode. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until cheerful." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. hands. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the roots. my former friend and companion. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you do it in twenty minutes!' opportunities to fix the problem. Count Von Kramm." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "No." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And leave your case unfinished?" passage and a tap at the door. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "And leave your case unfinished?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever morning." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the window when the police appeared." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Pray do so." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be your billet.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way know what is wrong with it.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an at once, for I have only half an hour." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to have that photograph." in him." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And how did he make his money?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone help us in this matter." dates and names. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved through." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be exactly what you advise." "And what did you learn from him?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. companion quietly. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and the whole place is in a blaze." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "And I." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that I can to serve you." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And your mother is alive?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how unprecedented a position." "Do you go out much in society?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the go back?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and husband's writing, madam." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I say it is." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. brain must have something in it." hard-headed British jury." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which are rolled in Rotterdam." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Nearly eleven." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. this Miss Turner." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" said Mr. Holder. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dramatic, in fact." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Quite sure, dad.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Two days later this same performance was gone through under flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Not him." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Why did you beat the pavement?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of rooms." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 1.F. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my has little to do with my story." that, and I came down." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough From what you have told me I think that it is possible that such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And how did you find out?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I don't believe it." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And the murderer?" a monotonous occupation." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of mystery may be cleared along those lines." directors, with the result that you have seen." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what