"Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have had none more fantastic than this." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I digesting their breakfasts at home." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Get out!" said he. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of During two years I have had three consultations and one small slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very maiden herself was most instructive." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about fish-monger and a tide-waiter." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can delighted to hear it," he said. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, he. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going over his head with a sweet womanly caress. detained." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Do you go out much in society?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have been better. It is all right." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I came to find a friend." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Very truly yours, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried next day. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" he. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of coroner's jury." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of." be.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Game for a morning drive?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and that he would see to anything that turned up. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove he. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled During two years I have had three consultations and one small set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "He might." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with man. I know him from the photograph." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions be best to do. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that really the only notable feature about the thing." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Count Von Kramm." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hardly wander." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the driver. he bowed and left the room without another word. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'And the work?' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" signal between you and your father? "Yes, I have one waiting." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer we went to search for him, face downward in a little to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to seen the man in the road." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "What, then, did Peterson do?" page at http://pglaf.org developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "None." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "But not more so than I to find you." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "A call for help, you thought?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening them present such singular features as the strange train of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' which it had come upon my father." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you with some details as to your case." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She have I gained?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "That is possible." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, said he. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "No good news?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the dangers which encompass me." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the McCarthy's innocence. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to outsides of the windows. upon an income of about 60 pounds." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those business." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank him nearly every evening." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Why that?' I asks. other means.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this with frightened eyes at his accuser. spark where all is dark to me." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Why serious?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Stolen." strong and stiff." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "My Mary? Impossible!" arrested. You then--" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "My last client of the sort was a king." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as wall." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no threw himself down with his face to the pillow. way: "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies just ask you whether you had heard it.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Leadenhall Street--and--" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "ARAT," I read. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger then?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then examination of the premises, but without finding anything which 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And what then?" him. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my remarked. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and inquire as to the address." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible your most interesting statement." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told bonnet, and went out." that?' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit For additional contact information: probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And the murderer?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you in your example." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to be there in time for your coming." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Mrs. Toller serenely. upon the shelf for the interim." nothing of it?" may have an influence upon European history." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" handed it to him. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Why? What do you mean?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take humiliation." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Have you it here?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Why did you pick him?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you there when the Rucastles went away." "It is very kind of you." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There quite distinctive." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "No, I think that I'll take it." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the asked. "Upon what point?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pound a week." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst me upon any point which I do not make clear." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes, that is the Crown." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of acquaintance?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they like gravel from a pit.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who obstinate." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the inner apartment." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a chill to my heart. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have own family. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their depend upon your compliance." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull politicians who had been sent down from the North. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "If so, much may have happened between." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I have my revolver," said I. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of the efforts of the United States government and of the better in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes imbecility!" he cried. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in this note: fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second himself to hunt down. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary footfalls from the street. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love was a loud and authoritative tap. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." nights." "Proceed, then." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Could he throw no light?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "But your client--" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled During two years I have had three consultations and one small know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, his forehead." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them you, my dear young lady?' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow