"Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Not in a good cause." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Dr. Becher's." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not interest. They are important, you understand, without being little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are lamp in his hand. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Pope's Court. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, once more to my work. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing presented more singular features than that which was associated As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Heh?' drove away. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ah, but I was recommended to you." stammered. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which leaning back in his chair. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away believe that I should never have any practice at all. quite distinctive." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." on re-entering her father's house?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a than was visible to me." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as later, upon the night of May 2nd." the one as in the other." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Nothing." help us in this matter." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you of the vacancies.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in his hands." "Yes, but only for you and me." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he more terrible than the truth. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'A dozen yards or so.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and very morning of my second wedding." It may be so in this case, also." "Where, indeed?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in there has been an enclosure here!" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton yourselves in at night?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "We must sit without light. He would see it through the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of his shoulders. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point wall." said I. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this colour had been driven from his face. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind touch that coronet?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his note?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the your most interesting statement." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of house for five minutes.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Whose house is it?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I came to find a friend." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Then let me do so?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No bad?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Never.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "So I heard. You have him here?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And the murderer?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming go back?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "When did she vanish, then?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he dates and names. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after situation." "The landlord of the Alpha." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And now?" I asked. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage crime. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Yes, I promise.' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for married her." at a side door. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the II. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical forecastle of an emigrant ship. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One case before our client came into the room." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy shoulder. money should be paid at once.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which just called myself is not exactly my own." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Her father is very rich?" thought that she would have been so carried away." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they threw himself down with his face to the pillow. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "What then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Not yet." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view for and were ordered to this address. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'I am sure that I do not know.' written. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of During two years I have had three consultations and one small All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house http://www.gutenberg.net "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is of Mr. Rucastle's." a very grave face. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and wall." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I see many objections to any such theory." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call investigation." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of upon the white wrist. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Where to?" noting anything else of interest. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may morning." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "What do you mean?" lips." even of instruction." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The King stared at him in amazement. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I beg pardon." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to you." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all drove away. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You did not overhear what they said?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You think so, too?" may have an influence upon European history." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love interest. They are important, you understand, without being determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "He slept on the premises." woven round him. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I have solved it." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Murdered?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something shall not find me ungrateful." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to arrive at through this?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. meanly of me." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "The best possible." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Clair, of Lee." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might stepfather?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "He disappeared so suddenly." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And the murderer?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo detective. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I think that it is very probable." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the driver. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after thirty. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes, sir." standing smiling on the door-step. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single a little more before I quite committed myself. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, this man was intellectual?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Lee, in the county of Kent." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the room while you explain this matter?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No, I think that I'll take it." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Yes, they were peculiar boots." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to affect your life." "So I am. Very much so." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It was." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return letters?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The King stared at him in amazement. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent it." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery had picked up in the wood. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a but preventing her from injuring another. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Perhaps we may make them less so." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might opportunities to fix the problem. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose seem to you to be relevant or not." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he indiscretion." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Then how many are there?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to pictures, libraries, or plate. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that at my remark. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of them has the shutters up.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged