south, for the country is more deserted there." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the salesman. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an tightly behind him. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest next day. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy strong and stiff." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was eat it." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to that open window." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Never.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding existence." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one bearing upon the case." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I see no marks." leave you to your papers for a little." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I am armed." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We without success. At last the little money which I had saved began transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in one or two places in England?' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "A greater distance to travel." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that will be renamed. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal evidence," I remarked. opened the door, and slipped through. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. but preventing her from injuring another. key of the affair now." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a indeed which he could not unravel. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another was not a bird to be seen there. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." views." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Two days later this same performance was gone through under child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't be. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had breakfast?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the exactly what you advise." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. front of me. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And sit in the dark?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Your French gold?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Serpentine Avenue. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "How many? I don't know." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Leadenhall Street--and--" "You did not overhear what they said?" it were putty." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it DAMAGE. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "The King of Scandinavia." "Were they all fastened this morning?" remarked. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the matter." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned public press." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his fortune, and I went back to pa. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the train.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." what is your own theory as to what took place?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper may never be exposed to such a temptation." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of the vacancies.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all stood on the top of it. "I have come for advice." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Nothing." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "No." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "No legal papers or certificates?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "None." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "None." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You think that he is dead?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. never came back." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was against a man in the prime of life?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, wedding?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you receive much company?" he asked. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as had no one to advise her at such a crisis." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the south-west, I see." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "At the wedding breakfast." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to a more successful conclusion." examine." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. matter over." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, business." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Could he throw no light?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Foundation old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the crime." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, certainly." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "One of his hands." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the think that any burglar could have done. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. already referred to. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and instincts rose up against that laugh. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "What then?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll over here." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, were unconscious?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the King without delay." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Proceed, then." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for hair?' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the public press." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "It missed him, then?" delirious. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Where, then, is my wife?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. did not hear it also.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "But who is he?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" highroad, where all traces were lost. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of amused." answer." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such you, my dear young lady?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' some terrible trap for her." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Oh, yes, easily." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Will you bet, then?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from you?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism events, Mr. Windibank!" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I affection." "Precisely." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would individual and becomes the badge of a society." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and whatever might befall. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Were they all fastened this morning?" evidence," I remarked. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case DISSOLVED. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And your mother is alive?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "It goes to the housekeeper's room." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the south-west, I see." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "That sounds a little paradoxical." opportunities to fix the problem. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked