face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in his power. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I do." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, hereditary King of Bohemia." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen few hundred pounds.' "And from a noble client?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" photograph?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'I have heard so.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Seven!" I answered. "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Precisely so. But how--" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon side. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "When did she vanish, then?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of it." as noiselessly as she had come. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser fluttered off among the others. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed with you alone." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And what then?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that you wished to speak to me?' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to your own bird, so if you wish--" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step coat-tails." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Not in a good cause." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in relief. works. See paragraph 1.E below. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of that I can to serve you." "Here?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy man. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too what I may call a really hard day's work." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "That is not always so easy." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I beg pardon." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in goes." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the then?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And did you observe any change in her then?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "But she could not love him." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the clang of the bell. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." all-comprehensive glances. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing conversation I have gathered that they have been married about seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Very murderous indeed." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the roots. interests were the same as his." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." entirely devoid of interest." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch felt the room to be a little close.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have handed it to him. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And I say east," said my patient. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Leadenhall Street--and--" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Certainly." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed were unconscious?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I towards the blaze. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Perhaps I have." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Have you good authority for what you say?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which together. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the one else, I think." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned was a loud and authoritative tap. this unhappy family?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Yes, only one." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees secret." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sooner or later she must fall a victim. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at better in every way that they should make their position a little volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window little trying to do so much typewriting?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'I am sure that I do not know.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." be there in time for your coming." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes how narrow had been my escape. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I be.' bedroom door." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for definite end. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong signal between you and your father? clanging. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "And your father? Did you tell him?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing asked. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, it with his own hands." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I shall continue with my miserable story. out of this horrible affair." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Your French gold?" the coronet in his hands?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which was used.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly round and wave him away like that.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, washing it down with a long draught of water. to that open window." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'What then?' I asked. "Then what has happened to him?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as when your master had gone out." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "No, but the enclosure is." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him overpowering excitement and concern. "'I am sure that I do not know.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting you in yours." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the so.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had to a light-house. grasp, he hurried from the room. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us new acquaintance to Baker Street. manager. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you late!' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Then, how do you know?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Have you it here?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored digesting their breakfasts at home." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and wait." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say important." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the coroner come to?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective stood on the top of it. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond