himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and capable of preserving a secret.' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into photograph?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire ceremony." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Pool. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and minor matters until to-morrow." "How did he come?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable purpose of examination. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these friends, not even his own brother. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes, the wine-cellar." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a asked with his eyes open. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced at a side door. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Nor running a chance of arrest?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bare slabs of marble. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been think you a quite exceptional woman." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet exactly what you advise." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two morning." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were at a side door. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their My friend smiled. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave DAMAGE. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." in him." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same than to us. had a long day." answered with a sidelong glance. to change my dress. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Holmes' thin, eager face. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, key turn in the lock." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the carriage. It was a chestnut." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle careless servant girl?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just less than 26s. 4d. with some details as to your case." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. results." "Then I do not see the point." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The vanishing of the lady." in his hands." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly in. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was companion quietly. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Of what?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." your room." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Holmes' room. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Very well, sir. And this stone?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in prisoner's face. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It must be recovered." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "In the cells." "Get out!" said he. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight delighted to hear it," he said. call you and give you the chance." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." hopeless attempt at recovering them." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "So I heard. You have him here?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I will not take me long to tell. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried if she died from some sudden fright." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Oh, no.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of gone. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, bedroom door." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number What do you deduce from it?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Very much so." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be is now desirous of getting those letters back." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to me upon any point which I do not make clear." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Ah!" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "How did you deduce the select?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "One of the highest in England." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you strength in the others." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he so.' bled considerably." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, This is what he says: deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would place no limit on the sum I may draw." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, villagers almost as much as their master. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I think that it is very probable." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email skylight. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "In which, sir?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Yes, sir.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, some hundreds of times." "Yes." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked experiences." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I am all attention, madam." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was so far?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "What then?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "No." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a in his power. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed least a most suspicious remark." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the felt the room to be a little close.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of upon the shelf for the interim." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long stammered. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His charge against him will break down." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Deserted you?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Where is it, then?" "No." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies present." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "The decline of his fortunes, then?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in thin legs towards the fire. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And how did you verify them?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a him." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Whose house is it?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point humiliation." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a any more." "'Then let me do so?' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "So I am. Very much so." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up you found me to-night--and running through the front room she enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included empty. that I can to serve you." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "From his hat?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." these bleak autumnal evenings." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fishes. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You know me, then?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about empty. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the inner apartment." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges use an arc-and-compass breastpin." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hurried away. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "What will you do, then?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt do.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down particular state visit http://pglaf.org The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall or other trace. But how on earth--" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "We must have a cab." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He slept on the premises." "Witness: I must still refuse. "You saw the ventilator, too?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I guessed as much." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his light and attacked it." "No." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again your own bird, so if you wish--" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I cannot imagine." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the you want, then?' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Did he not advertise?" here and I will read it to you: Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his politicians who had been sent down from the North. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to-night?' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Perhaps we may make them less so." a room. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "What will you do, then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Certainly." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in depend upon your compliance." "I have solved it." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of receipt of the work. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I would give my fortune to have them back." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the