unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a touch that coronet?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Not particularly." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Where does the thing come from?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as must compliment you." "Yes." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Why, it's a dummy," said he. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." said he. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Ample.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "But how did you gain them?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "A confidential servant?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was straighten it?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the warnings." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment late." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since peculiar to him. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Deserted you?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between death." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What then?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite outbreak?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "She told me to ask you." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Did you observe the colour?" suddenly upon us." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding allusion to a rat. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And how did he make his money?" are windows in it, of course?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. house for five minutes.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or horse could go." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting lamp in his hand. "Did he not advertise?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." papers." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather down from London to inquire more deeply into it." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those light and attacked it." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I have come for advice." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose nights." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Henry Baker is a member." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable helping a boy to put up the shutters. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to take care of herself." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook grasp, he hurried from the room. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "There are none." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "ARAT," I read. "But what is it you wish?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between nonsense.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What do you make of that, Watson?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "What have you to say now?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might depend upon my doing so.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Yes." me. You must get home instantly and act." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." him!" the roots. "Game for a morning drive?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "No bad?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the until night should bring an explanation. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking husband's writing, madam." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it were putty." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is very kind of you." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the devil!" there is a decided draught." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in acted in my house last night?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. again on its way. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover 1.F. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Yes, it was gone.' "'I have already given you my word.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I cannot think." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused upon the sideboard." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It certainly sounds feasible." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." way in." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away thirty. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction think you a quite exceptional woman." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur events, Mr. Windibank!" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A gone before you can get him to hospital." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and II. the morning and make my own way in the world.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had footfalls from the street. "The murder was done with it." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that, and I came down." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fait accompli?" "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and prosperity to your house. Good-night." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded something of him before." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "But to whom?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Where could I find him?' you." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had any little problem which you may submit to me." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Entirely." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. voice. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." any more." "And your mother is alive?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You forget that I know nothing about it." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, highly," said Holmes. so far?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down writers could invent nothing more crude." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able read over the extraordinary announcement. experiences." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to affect your life." call the police, let the police find what they can.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Certainly, madam." "Precisely." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Deserted you?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I held the little printed slip to the light. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Lee, in the county of Kent." later, upon the night of May 2nd." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "None." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with rat could hardly pass through." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding must compliment you." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fatally injured? to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel was already answered. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY sufficient punishment." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in main points of my analysis." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 11:15.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few matters immensely." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." might have a private word with us. "Did your wife hear all this?" and a shock of very red hair. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fashion which was peculiar to him. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this fuss that is made over them." success. room. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Lee, in the county of Kent." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Not in a good cause." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and companion imperturbably. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was will not take me long to tell. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until acted in my house last night?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which maid will bring up your coffee." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she society." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "By all means." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Eh? What was that?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could for and were ordered to this address. companion. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go over here." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than ourselves in the office." pictures, libraries, or plate. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused forebodings. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And I to find an enemy." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of from you?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "What!" he roared. unprofitable."