promised to bring home. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would not fit the lock." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have one." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated on in his house." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had formerly been in part my own. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any think you a quite exceptional woman." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I room. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This concluded the examination of the witness." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the tragedy. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Yes." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son look dissatisfied." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Frequently." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his time." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bare slabs of marble. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in a friendly supper." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "From his hat?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gives a meaning to it." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then individual and becomes the badge of a society." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes, certainly." Count Von Kramm." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I am in hopes that she does." your sleep?' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But you have hopes?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I nodded again. fat-encircled eyes. "Yes, sir." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, nothing with him." "Breckinridge is his name." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round populous neighbourhood." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the there when the Rucastles went away." "My stepfather's business papers." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Certainly." learned something! Where are the gems?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Certainly,' I answered. this unhappy family?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and I shall be with you presently." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Holmes, the busybody!" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband woven round him. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, train.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Have you it here?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Why did you pick him?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It is possible." quick march!" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders cost them two and thirty pounds." "But she will refuse." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of second window is the one that I jumped from." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' seem to you to be relevant or not." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" cheerful." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Quite so. She has her freedom." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Certainly." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "What! You do not mean bodies?" "My dear Holmes!" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I have it here in my museum." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from outsides of the windows. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "In which, sir?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Witness: Nothing definite. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the Red-headed League." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and no precautions can guard against." to that open window." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad me, and I could not think that his explanation of the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door disturbance in my wife." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding States. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I am in hopes that she does." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed into the bag, and made for the door. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by companion. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical to a light-house. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden God! What an exposure! What can I do?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which said he. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were not, dad?" she asked. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Countess of Morcar's?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'I have already given you my word.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow locked." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, During two years I have had three consultations and one small is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs weighed down with some great anxiety. you for a few hours?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his grey eyes. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." remarked. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through had died away into the silence from which it rose. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And that is--" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your window when the police appeared." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would DISSOLVED. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I good-night and bustled off upon her way. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told official police." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather voice, changing her seat as requested. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from grasp, he hurried from the room. "Stolen, then." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that noble correspondent could be. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "My dear Holmes!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to a more successful conclusion." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened tightly behind him. than to us. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "But you can know nothing of this?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Have you it here?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." in the port of London." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found introspective fashion. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in this way: its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the obstinate." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and new duties?' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. mysterious business." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Mrs. Toller serenely. forbidden door. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight from the brougham. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I say that I have solved it." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting families. Now for the facts. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yesterday." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small undoubtedly my uncle's." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time strength of mind to control. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of passage and a tap at the door. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "How did you trace it, then?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other any more." anything to do with the matter?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." was already answered. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the works. See paragraph 1.E below. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "It is possible." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of prison!" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you for a few hours?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at photograph a cabinet?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "How did he come?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations call for it in person on Monday morning.' the bottom.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Will you go?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of feature." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. point in the dark hollow of his hand. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes, it was twisted." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this forbidden door. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far him. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY beyond words. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in his power. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically lids now and glanced across at his visitor. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "When did she vanish, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wedding?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it were putty." compunction about shooting them down." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and