seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ourselves in the office." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the hand, madam?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry most interesting one." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the loss of it. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Does that suggest anything?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small note?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two are windows in it, of course?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you came in." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You forget that I know nothing about it." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in you, my dear young lady?' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a she used." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And that is--" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful once more to my work. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." status with the IRS. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and so.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, him. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Imitated." particular state visit http://pglaf.org headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But how will you look?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, never will be, entirely cleared up. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. whole matter to your consideration." respectable self." lamp in his hand. acted in my house last night?" Cross for the Continent." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt States. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I am armed." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here said Mr. Holder. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" place no limit on the sum I may draw." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with bell. Holmes whistled. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fuss that is made over them." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to lost his Christmas dinner." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, so far?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his assist you in forming an opinion." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in all-comprehensive glances. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have second window is the one that I jumped from." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "You have it, sir, just as it happened." pierced for earrings?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I corner of the building. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. garden below. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Farm upon the left." promised to bring home. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve more solid." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "We were both in the photograph." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what trifles." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "No?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Which are?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my highly," said Holmes. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. note?" "And how?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "ARAT," I read. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock night.' said he. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the footfalls from the street. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. one of them." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Do you know him?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. south, for the country is more deserted there." was shining brightly. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "The doctor?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Why, what do you mean?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all light and attacked it." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'And the work?' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whether it answered to the description of any of their headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The rest you will leave in our hands." that he will be back before evening." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "How did that help you?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Never to return." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I think that I could be of assistance to you." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Street. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But his left-handedness." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I am to be neutral?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Was he the only applicant?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Thank you. Pray proceed." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You will not go there first?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly advice." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story away to you." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "That is it on the dressing-table." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me bled considerably." tell him that I know him to be innocent." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It is solved." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Pray be precise as to details," said he. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. me have 200 pounds?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of the way of danger. to surprise her." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, pictures, libraries, or plate. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Which are?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how noble correspondent could be. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my if I call to-morrow?" me have 200 pounds?' "We were both in the photograph." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Yes." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a not as remarkable as your advertisement." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. careless servant girl?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "His face fell immediately. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "My opinion is in no way altered." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Street. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "By all means." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than at a side door. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Eyford at 11:15.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make quickly through a disagreeable task. at home. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "To ruin me." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a married her." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is happened." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort for and were ordered to this address. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over chair. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Thank you. And your address?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You horrify me." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the bird I ate is country bred." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Have you her photograph?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his tension within him. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'How far from the body?' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the coat-tails." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Arthur Conan Doyle "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both official police." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Was he the only applicant?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way this poor creature." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. page at http://pglaf.org Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." such attractions and accomplishments?' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of up this clue while it is still hot." directly by questioning you." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before in this way: "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "You have a clue?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Then how many are there?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Breckinridge is his name." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the tragedy. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?"