in the dead of the night?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to some other building. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had clang of the bell. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a crackling voice. "Did he not advertise?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to definite end. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "And the murderer?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most companion quietly. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "But I have heard all that you have heard." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, it was twisted." "I am in hopes that she does." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me what he had done with the three missing stones. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you do it in twenty minutes!' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of third from London." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all again." will be renamed. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dead, shall be safe with us." said he at last. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled way: his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, one of them." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "My Mary? Impossible!" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I http://gutenberg.net/license). upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that he has suffered." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and effective." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle points to suicide?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Well, but China?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Farm upon the left." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I breakfast." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Then I can wait in the next room." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant them?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. one which it was hard to resist. companion. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what unprecedented a position." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "No, finished." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "You have a clue?" "It is possible." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Dark enough and sinister enough." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train subject to the trademark license, especially commercial actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Not in the least." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or tear off another piece?' "Yes." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our followed. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of it. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. DISSOLVED. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and have this put in the evening papers." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the general public were present, then?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no bell. Holmes whistled. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The your troubles." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter yards of it?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. excitement. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at him to go away.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have accepted such a situation. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, unclasping of his long thin hands. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of conceal it?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to me." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You have the photograph?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in the port of London." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I cannot say that I have." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And Irene Adler?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat posted to-day." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in a friendly supper." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you, my dear young lady?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys relation between them, and what the object of his repeated upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I becomes even more simple." "Yes, all." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, companion quietly. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other chair. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your thirty. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is one of the states of the Union." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; point our research must commence, and we will begin it by again, where I was soon asleep. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to asked with his eyes open. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding open." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have been better. It is all right." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, himself. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a stalked out of the room. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of strength in the others." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He him." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, my brougham is waiting." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Thank you. Pray proceed." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there narrative." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. him and tried to hold him back. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' must be when I saw the door open.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I have it here in my museum." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, strode off upon his way. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." vault. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Proceed, then." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only was not a bird to be seen there. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw we went to search for him, face downward in a little you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to never will be, entirely cleared up. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove back into the street. page at http://pglaf.org dates and names. It may be so in this case, also." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the had formerly been in part my own. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "There are none." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be redistribution. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never States. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier companion. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Now, then, what's the last entry?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "What are they?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "What of the rat, then?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, all." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any window when the police appeared." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the in the hope of finding them." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "So I am. Very much so." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. you came in." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'I have heard so.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." your billet.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I am sure." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he This is what he says: some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his signal between you and your father? the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you other means.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Watson," he said cordially. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young happened." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "That is not always so easy." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" she used." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the dangers which encompass me." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the in the hope of finding them." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Yes." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is what these perils are?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. your troubles." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Dr. Gregory B. Newby you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he made him keep the appointment." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "My stepfather's business papers." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Absolutely?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a drawing your inferences." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the was used.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and gone. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of main points of my analysis." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he remarked. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat instincts rose up against that laugh. relief. the nursery. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I am in hopes that she does." think you a quite exceptional woman." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his drawing your inferences." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to