one else, I think." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I question. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I will try. What is it?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "A client, then?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "What is it?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that I can to serve you." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. be best to do. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. During two years I have had three consultations and one small panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "By no means." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "But of what society?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six once more. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You have a clue?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It missed him, then?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "When did it break out?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Why that?' I asks. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite think, you have already met." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in my life." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The events in question occurred in the early days of my sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high indiscretion." "Well, but China?" "None." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A you came in." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' bears upon the case?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "The doctor?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of in this note: time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag derbies." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "At what time?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds companion. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little companion quietly. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And leave your case unfinished?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to surprise her." "Why? What do you mean?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down manager. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a lamp. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Cross for the Continent." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, unprecedented a position." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Will you go?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all that?' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' corner of the building. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were your equipment. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as my secret was safe in his possession. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the Assizes." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have feature." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and way in everything. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fatally injured? Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Certainly." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I will do it." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white him and tried to hold him back. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but a monotonous occupation." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official matter." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Nothing?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of his shoulders. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "But you were on a friendly footing?" in his power. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into wedding?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the tell them apart.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which shoulder; "he's all right." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "We must sit without light. He would see it through the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be at home. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Pope's Court. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce were wasted." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Was she in good spirits?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here within hail.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, unclasping of his long thin hands. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And sit in the dark?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. John Swain, of St. Augustine. photograph?" see me here to avoid scandal." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin him!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Was she in good spirits?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and your relations to her." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his wife has ceased to love him." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Yes, certainly." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "That's no good." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in his hands." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread been." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his there was no need for father to know." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you weary and pale-looking. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "This concluded the examination of the witness." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I begun to whiten, even as mine has." wall." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Lestrade of Scotland Yard." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "But how?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere been anything against him. He had for years been known as a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of them has the shutters up.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the society." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "No more words. Get out!" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Nothing." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the used to be." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. strength in the others." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that was not a bird to be seen there. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, way in." Lee, in the county of Kent." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You horrify me." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his them present such singular features as the strange train of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three thin, with a long, sharp nose?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "None." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on chance at all." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the matter?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification States. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "That also I could fathom." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Eh? What was that?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, goes." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from residence of the great financier. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I congratulate you again." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Perhaps we may make them less so." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the remarked. "Do you know him?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat business at Coburg Square is serious." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for someone who had been in Australia." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my rooms." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." both be extremely obliged.' "By no means." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Serpentine Avenue. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Watson," he said cordially. go back?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Witness: Nothing definite. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Lee, in the county of Kent." "I have my revolver," said I. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I but preventing her from injuring another. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' seen the man in the road." daring than any effort of the imagination." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we a room. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You think so, too?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed,