might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Frequently." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid read over the extraordinary announcement. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What will you do, then?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." handed it to him. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Dr. Becher's." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found flock.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' or in danger--" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came least a fellow-countryman. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." upon the sideboard." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me shaken than I had ever seen him. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "But his lameness?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Heh?' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Her father is very rich?" once more to my work. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a roused himself from his reverie. forebodings. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to instituted." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version deduce something from that?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." forebodings. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an off." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My there." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." cost them two and thirty pounds." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the matter?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I your bag." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Heh?' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it over part of the map. "What do you read?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "We have tried and failed." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way ordinary clothes on?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's following enigmatical notices: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the coroner come to?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which should have the effect of calling the attention of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been seen the man in the road." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I came to find a friend." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Very good.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the room while you explain this matter?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." suspect him." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for anything to a woman, for she would have her way." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I should like to see him very much." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "So I have heard." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "You will not go there first?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just quick march!" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the photograph?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you do it in twenty minutes!' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his from you?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out said I. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "To ruin me." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "What shall I do?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that there was nothing in it, after all." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and it need not interfere very much with one's other long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each once more for Briony Lodge. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you came in." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room prepare for the new role I have to play." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Then how many are there?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices appointment with me for six o'clock?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that long narrative. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are me, and I could not think that his explanation of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the you." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed there were so many in the whole country as were brought together would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side tapping his fingers upon the table. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no be best to do. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has do." "What office?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to surprise her." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' lost nothing by them." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it possible that we could bring him back to her? mystery may be cleared along those lines." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But she could not love him." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Why did you pick him?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, over here." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "No, thank goodness, she did not." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Will you bet, then?" "What can you not understand?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. village inn over there?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the coronet at all injured?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in her also." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an electronic works third from London." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually go from here to the Strand." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "What steps will you take?" I asked. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" directly by questioning you." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed other lovers by making love himself." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lips." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "One of his hands." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of man. I know him from the photograph." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lost his Christmas dinner." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable was a lad." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "But his lameness?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised like that before?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler what I may call a really hard day's work." rooms." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Does that suggest anything?" flock.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you burst out into a roar of laughter. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Perhaps we may make them less so." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I am to be neutral?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My dear Holmes!" to his chemical studies. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the house with me." obstinate." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own to affect your life." himself. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for everything which you would wish to know." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away works. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "He said that you could solve anything." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn woven round him. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up License. You must require such a user to return or any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "And why in hopes?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "They are typewritten," I remarked. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices occupations.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, fashion which was peculiar to him. are, I think, all that we need." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are locked. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the bed, and you in that chair." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident fear." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee mysterious business." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "And how?" cost them two and thirty pounds." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had system of imprisonment?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are mysterious business." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO very morning of my second wedding." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I cannot imagine." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock telegram would bring me down to your help." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at bled considerably." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Where did he live, then?" disturbance in my wife." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes' face clouded over. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It may not come to that," said Holmes. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "My Mary? Impossible!" politicians who had been sent down from the North. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Witness: I must still refuse. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "9th. McCauley cleared. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes rather sternly. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one opened the door, and slipped through. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the speckled band?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the held up the lantern and gazed about him. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for lips." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking wanted for ourselves." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Imitated." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done constraint." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think cup of tea. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was business at Coburg Square is serious." "And I to find an enemy."