and all of them with the keenest interest. look upon these things in a different way." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Perfectly so." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Do you go out much in society?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for clanging. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm cheerful." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad once more. writer." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I cost them two and thirty pounds." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the warnings." "I answered that I had not. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be at once, for I have only half an hour." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will forehead. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, approach us with offers to donate. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'I have already given you my word.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "That you are never beaten." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Serpentine Avenue. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Then I am your man." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Ten will be early enough." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Deserted you?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "And how did he make his money?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the detained." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram official police." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Yes, I have one waiting." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it right.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler his huge brown hands. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Then he might have called to you?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Do you go out much in society?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What, then?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and galvanised. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I any." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the leaning back in his chair. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, south, for the country is more deserted there." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "VIOLET HUNTER." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Imitated." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have lost his Christmas dinner." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Holmes, the busybody!" married her." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's shoulder. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that the gas is not laid on in his house?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to such attractions and accomplishments?' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of chill to my heart. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "What have you done?" asked Holmes. returning from some small jollification and was making his way prove to be little relation between the different incidents of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no giving me time to thank him. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his huge brown hands. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'No, I know no one in these parts.' before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I am in hopes that she does." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the there in twenty minutes." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He disappeared so suddenly." to miss it." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, be. do.' attention." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "From his hat?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few was a loud and authoritative tap. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Absolutely?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an anything to a woman, for she would have her way." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Which are?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from it with his own hands." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words followed. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I upon an income of about 60 pounds." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "What! Had he lost his wife?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a there." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of least a fellow-countryman. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'It is locked up,' I answered. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "No bad?" "Whose house is it?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the less than 26s. 4d. "Won't it ring?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Chief Executive and Director surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as photograph?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it weapon." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation neither fascinating nor artistic." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, help us in this matter." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bird I ate is country bred." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cigars in their mouths. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as which are rolled in Rotterdam." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in 11:15.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I cannot tell." call you and give you the chance." "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you is four-and-twenty." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "What can you not understand?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to not fit the lock." stood on the top of it. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of the way of danger. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Munro.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You conversation I have gathered that they have been married about actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'You cannot say what it was?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Precisely." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far this remarkable episode. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the coronet in his hand?" approach us with offers to donate. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The gentleman I describe." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the devil!" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned someone who had been in Australia." know what is wrong with it.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was from you?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing married her." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was lamp. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The Coroner: What do you mean? himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I answer." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Yes. He waved his hands." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Of Friday, June 19th." observed. ways of our fellow-men." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And it is--" "And what did you learn from him?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life