"It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held father's young wife. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." page at http://pglaf.org were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the cigars in the box." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds gentleman's clothes. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Stoke Moran?" said he. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "When did it break out?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But who is he?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' him nearly every evening." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Your French gold?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was suddenly upon us." in his power. "I beg pardon." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He helping a boy to put up the shutters. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told learned something! Where are the gems?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Then you may entirely rely on me." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the bed, and you in that chair." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this believe that I should never have any practice at all. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on secret." "'Oh, no.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the one's self under obligations.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in a friendly supper." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" a very grave face. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length noise which awoke you from your sleep?" head. So long, then!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Breckinridge is his name." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant name is different." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew will he say when he returns?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm presume?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Yes, I promise.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the when you have done it." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "That you are never beaten." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. chill to my heart. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun certainly not very gracious." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two For additional contact information: brain must have something in it." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Thank you. And your address?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Then let me do so?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A should be taken.' "I have a cab outside." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Perfectly so." "On the contrary, this is the right side." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very papers on the sundial.'" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one looking up at the numbers of the houses." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, whatever might befall. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Look there!" said he. one which it was hard to resist. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" You want to know what became of those geese?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes, all." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said excitement. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you make me his representative both with the servants and with the noting anything else of interest. whole matter to your consideration." key turn in the lock." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "The King of Scandinavia." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And how in the world did you find them?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have seen the police." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the coroner come to?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I nodded again. "'As governess?' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend heavily into it. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the vacancies.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fasten all the windows?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pressing in one house as in another. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the side-table." back alive. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I cannot say that I have." "Witness: It was. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her girl said." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to astonishment. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow clang of the bell. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "You forget that I know nothing about it." woven round him. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have had none more fantastic than this." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and that he would see to anything that turned up. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the child." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she formed some opinion?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Surrey." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I have come for advice." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" deduce something from that?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'It is locked up,' I answered. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away said Mr. Holder. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my this as likely?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite if she died from some sudden fright." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I guessed as much." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And how have you succeeded?" "When did she vanish, then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "By train from Waterloo." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood right! Sit down and let us talk it over." him to go away.' without a word or a look. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "That is it on the dressing-table." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. appeared upon the scene." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Pool. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Certainly not.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Have you it here?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." whole matter to your consideration." "None. Neville wrote those words." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not bird of prey. "The landlord of the Alpha." "I say that I have solved it." "Indeed! Whose, then?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my front of me. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag case-book, which he consulted. plantation.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'And the work?' "To an English lawyer named Norton." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might business?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must girl said." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith out." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I know where it is." "Did you observe the colour?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was about here speaks of his kindness to him." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "That you are never beaten." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning voice. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more suddenly upon us." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not will be renamed. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to companion. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a said he. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And on what day did he meet his death?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't enter into my head. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may advice." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Most admirably.' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And for present expenses?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I beg pardon." the room while you explain this matter?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking my former friend and companion. becomes even more simple." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring searched, without anything being found which could incriminate But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the voice. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. promised to bring home. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are chambers. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in discontent upon his features. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been shoulder; "he's all right." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "No. What a strange idea!" Eyford." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There swore that no one else had been in the front room during the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Absolutely?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and