to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to lips." leaning back in his chair. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the business came to an end." "Ten will be early enough." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and article?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, shoulder. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it main points of my analysis." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking experiences." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then I shall certainly come." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "He disappeared so suddenly." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the retorted upon me, and I on you." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Of what?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Not particularly." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Seven!" I answered. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the running down." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat not come at once?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the general public were present, then?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident take the flies, but not before." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue will be renamed. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the side-table." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the even so self-evident a thing as that." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. newspaper selections." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "But your client--" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It is true that I have been generally successful." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and official police." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Farm upon the left." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Literary Archive Foundation girl said." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. so far?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And Irene Adler?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the ceiling. "I assure you that I am in your hands." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sufficient punishment." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And for present expenses?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The summons was a brief and urgent one. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And who is her maid?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "No, finished." quite distinctive." "'Then let me do so?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the think, you have already met." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "It is a murder, then?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed infinite languor in his face. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your detective. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right garden below. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I bird I ate is country bred." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." not personally threatened." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be unclasping of his long thin hands. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait or in danger--" with the outside air!" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing matters immensely." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "And from a noble client?" already referred to. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would we went to search for him, face downward in a little My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who suggested at once that there must be a communication between the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Not I." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from within hail.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have heavy and sharp instrument." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes, certainly." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "We must have a cab." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes, that is the Crown." presented more singular features than that which was associated the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "One of his hands." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could business matters.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the inner apartment." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was gone. "But how did you gain them?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at business in the City. She little knew what. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you off." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I October 9, 1890. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have established a very serious case against the son of the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no this truth that in these little records of our cases which you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But how?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will think, you have already met." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in photograph a cabinet?" "But the mystery?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Certainly." notes," he said. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Where, then?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again observed. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Yes, it would be as well." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New gentleman's clothes. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I assure you that I am in your hands." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the any." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel orange pips. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of door?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the house with me." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the like that before?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her events, Mr. Windibank!" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And you can do nothing until then?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "No legal papers or certificates?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that there was nothing in it, after all." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the side-table." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see weapon." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small opportunities to fix the problem. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. has little to do with my story." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them orange pips. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." details." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Stolen." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had notes," he said. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as flock.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and I shall be with you presently." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him business at Coburg Square is serious." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and people don't know." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair records." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It certainly sounds feasible." father's young wife. his fortune, and I went back to pa. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fashion which was peculiar to him. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then how many are there?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall helping a boy to put up the shutters. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless writing, and yet I know it well." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I he bowed and left the room without another word. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I don't believe it." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself touch that coronet?' "No." business in the City. She little knew what. "That is not always so easy." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is a monotonous occupation." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for to-night's adventure." "On Monday." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly