WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO silent! Oh, he will be silent!' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and files of the old papers, following the future career of every known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we companion quietly. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom brain must have something in it." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by quite distinctive." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "She walked into the breakfast-room." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own interests were the same as his." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to a light-house. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage who was a member of your goose club." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled like that before?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were cigar and let me expound." "I fear not." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. breakfast." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Where, indeed?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, man. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "None." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit brandy and water within his reach. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, gigantic client. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of locked." your co-operation." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the driver. visitors." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey three of the beryls in it, was missing. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "What?" within hail.' as the one I chose?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "In heaven's name, what for?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. with her." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I shall be delighted." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Your sister is dead, then?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A way: acquaintance?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Did you become engaged then?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Dark enough and sinister enough." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official entirely lost his self-respect." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Leadenhall Street--and--" compunction about shooting them down." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the inquest, and which are worth considering." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "And sit in the dark?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, about. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of everything which you would wish to know." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that threaten you." case before our client came into the room." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight if I call to-morrow?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed But Holmes shook his head gravely. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in round and wave him away like that.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the there!' indeed which he could not unravel. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It surprised me." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lips." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I held the little printed slip to the light. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, night.' said he. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored mysterious business." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been ceremony." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was nonsense.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason http://www.gutenberg.net Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, clang of the bell. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and no precautions can guard against." "Then what has happened to him?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, 11:15.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Do you know him?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an http://www.gutenberg.net him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a ran thus: "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Now, then, what's the last entry?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the digesting their breakfasts at home." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I do." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "What is it?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing is," said he presently: is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "You are all wrong." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, hurried by. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But I am all in the dark." "Pray let us have it, for all that." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What do you make of that, Watson?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What do you make of that, Watson?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and glanced through. whatever might befall. "Murdered?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "What office?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which are rolled in Rotterdam." Chief Executive and Director "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Her father is very rich?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in conceal it?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his seven miles from Eyford Station.' Miss Holder?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and will be renamed. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And you can do nothing until then?" "Where, then?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fear." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and do." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Very much so." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly than was visible to me." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Do you know him?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you father's place of business?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Can I be of assistance?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "To an English lawyer named Norton." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of are, I think, all that we need." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss think that he is innocent?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I think that he is innocent?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of them has the shutters up.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to-morrow." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the present." whole matter to your consideration." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Farm upon the left." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." know what is wrong with it.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Not particularly." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for imbecility!" he cried. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I nodded again. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Did you observe the colour?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "How did that help you?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in unkempt, staring out at me. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, distinguish the words: an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front during the last few years, and there are many noble families to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." depend upon your compliance." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "To an end?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Of what?" congratulate you again." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their future lives." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the trying to your nerves." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." lost his Christmas dinner." "On your arm?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "There is the writing." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he wedding?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which man. I know him from the photograph." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but carpenter." case-book, which he consulted. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You have the photograph?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my status with the IRS. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the them?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the bottom.' detained." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "That's no good." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and the colonel ushered me in. out of this horrible affair." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the