hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to relief. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "In the cells." meant it for the best. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! her also." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I will get her to show me." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. During two years I have had three consultations and one small and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which persecution?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "The knees of his trousers." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I remarked. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the face and glided from the room. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hopeless attempt at recovering them." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between maid will bring up your coffee." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its bled considerably." at a side door. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing You want to know what became of those geese?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And you thought he was pulled back?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is The summons was a brief and urgent one. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." even of instruction." "'I am sure if I had known--' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House putting in the horse. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you people in all walks of life. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all shoulder. "In which, sir?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was ran thus: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his death." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Her father is very rich?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Was she in good spirits?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were gives a meaning to it." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' least a fellow-countryman. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" fact, we may call it conclusive." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his face. his cane at the bell-pull. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to have that photograph." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for advice." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. thin legs towards the fire. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from shaken than I had ever seen him. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the bottom.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It is his hat." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, I had a dozen." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Stoke Moran?" said he. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And now?" He raised his hand. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up made his money." upon the shelf for the interim." the inquest, and which are worth considering." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual both be extremely obliged.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most asked. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to a light-house. open." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yes." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without events, Mr. Windibank!" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my details." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "What will you do, then?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the more solid." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "My own seal." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What have you to say now?" address. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I should like to see him very much." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office think that he is innocent?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "And now?" I asked. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a questionable one." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," despair." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than my former friend and companion. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in present." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and confronted him. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the noting anything else of interest. "You have the photograph?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "On Monday." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "To an end?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a important." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always vault. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the purpose equally well?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of the vacancies.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the chamber." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do forecastle of an emigrant ship. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he during that time.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. bonnet, and went out." "No." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin villagers almost as much as their master. "'Yes.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I see no marks." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Where, then?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I was afraid that you were engaged." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be legal crime." in darkness. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "No, I am descending." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes." "None." "We must have a cab." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long house for five minutes.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not said I. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the south-west, I see." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in some city in a dream. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name appeal." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Nothing." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yes, from Horsham." several quiet little villages up there." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, a good hundred miles off by now." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in footfalls from the street. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the driver. prison!" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of ourselves in the office." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the leave you to your papers for a little." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Street. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass congenial hunt. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And when will you call?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty lamp in his hand. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found walking." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help clang of the bell. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I am armed." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and used to be." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you orange pips. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the three fields round his house, and there he would take his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the bed, and you in that chair." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do instituted." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his this unhappy family?" your sleep?' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at are, and they are waiting for us." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray unprecedented a position." "Witness: Nothing definite. mysterious business." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "How about poison?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Watson," he said cordially. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "No, but the enclosure is." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Which surely he restored to their owner?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and woven round him. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg upon the white wrist. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an