wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, business matters.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Edgeware Road. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save held up the lantern and gazed about him. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Not yet." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "No, finished." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "We have tried and failed." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his face. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project kind enough to tell me what I should do." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then writers could invent nothing more crude." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily went to the Alpha were town bred." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper said he. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "And how did you verify them?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. photograph?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a so.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for chance." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you crackling voice. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'I am sure that I do not know.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But your client--" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "That is unusual in a young girl." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his heavy and sharp instrument." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would appeal." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hands. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to business." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Very. But will he see it?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "Precisely." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had bare slabs of marble. the best of training." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And now?" I asked. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from you?" a very grave face. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Imitated." me what he had done with the three missing stones. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable chamber." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "What shall I do?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Holmes' room. "No, I think that I'll take it." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And from a noble client?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Certainly not. But why?' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to sooner or later she must fall a victim. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to surprise her." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Not in a good cause." that, and I came down." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "A greater distance to travel." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "So it appears." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have within hail.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." for the market.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "How do you know, then?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Serpentine Avenue. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my secret was safe in his possession. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." chair. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could asked. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your desk. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I quickly through a disagreeable task. "One of his hands." "I am armed." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and placed his cuttings. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "This photograph!" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "One horse?" interjected Holmes. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to chambers. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I was afraid that you were engaged." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. like gravel from a pit.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on me." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "My photograph." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' heavy and sharp instrument." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it residence of the great financier. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was not a bird to be seen there. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." said he. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The summons was a brief and urgent one. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Then the page we have seen--" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I promise," said Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying business came to an end." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you copied or distributed: Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce vault. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small be.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be bird of prey. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Miss Holder?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden is," said he presently: have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which do.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "So I heard. You have him here?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the devil!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to note?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, from Horsham." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Your presence might be invaluable." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "When did it break out?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully nothing with him." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Witness: It was. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very both be extremely obliged.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And why?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and it need not interfere very much with one's other Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Certainly not.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his copied or distributed: Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "And your mother is alive?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel wife's character?" you?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" nights." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and no precautions can guard against." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. figure." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from wedding?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Serpentine Avenue. may have an influence upon European history." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Never." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest that there was nothing in it, after all." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no out." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are little adventures." prison!" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Seven!" I answered. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite was shining brightly. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, is worth.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my