is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Your sister is dead, then?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'I have already given you my word.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the business matters.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' happened." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that article?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had true." help us in this matter." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the joking. meant." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close mystery may be cleared along those lines." colonel looking down at me. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been lips." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the devil!" when your master had gone out." "He slept on the premises." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. enter into my head. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and wait." "By all means." someone who had been in Australia." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of learned something! Where are the gems?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "How can you tell that?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Where did you address your letters, then?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You horrify me." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Where to?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." green of the new foliage. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Whose house is it?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "So I heard. You have him here?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "And why in hopes?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to affect your life." call the police, let the police find what they can.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Not in the least." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman dates and names. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's back to my heart. of campaign. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a when your master had gone out." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a through." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is you for a few hours?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed less than 26s. 4d. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." next day. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and all of them with the keenest interest. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional coat-tails." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled straightened it out again. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that threaten you." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes. He waved his hands." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Perhaps I have." evidence," I remarked. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And the cigar-holder?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in I approached. "And leave your case unfinished?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fishes. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "What office?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey will not take me long to tell. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Mary, has deserted me." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote chance at all." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously tightly behind him. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to affect your life." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for bled considerably." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Did you observe the colour?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had arrangements." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Then, how do you know?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "My dear Holmes!" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so closely." residence of the great financier. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold been lifted and conveyed somewhere." remarked. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" together. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue will he say when he returns?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other compunction about shooting them down." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to crime. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this village inn over there?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" strong reason behind." helping a boy to put up the shutters. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to miss it." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his His smile broadened. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "The murder was done with it." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The Cedars?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I think it very unlikely." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing your bag." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots any little problem which you may submit to me." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Perhaps I have." copied or distributed: near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Indeed! Whose, then?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "No good news?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Why did you pick him?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, on in his house." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and developed." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem recall any case within my experience which looked at the first robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "In which, sir?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a where we are going." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he at once, for I have only half an hour." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want fasten all the windows?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how plantation.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sofa. This way, please!" excitement. him nearly every evening." have not had my rubber." "Well, some hundreds of times." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Ten to two.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The doctor?" "If so, much may have happened between." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I will, Miss Turner." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And it is--" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of Fenchurch Street." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the something of him before." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked if she died from some sudden fright." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I promise," said Holmes. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when gone. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, even so self-evident a thing as that." Mrs. Toller serenely. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Of Friday, June 19th." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a made his money." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." enter into my head. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "And sit in the dark?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When bill, which interests me deeply." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "No, distinctly professional." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "What are they?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most breakfast and whispered something to her husband. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which we had just quitted. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing noting anything else of interest. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are direction." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Count Von Kramm." in one or two places in England?' "It looks newer than the other things?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found gbnewby@pglaf.org "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part good-night and bustled off upon her way. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Gutenberg-tm License. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between redistribution. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be