"Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every morning." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your at my own good fortune. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe records." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It must be recovered." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What is it?" annoyance, but no jest. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was suddenly upon us." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely here." works. See paragraph 1.E below. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Well?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential persecution?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to spark where all is dark to me." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point made him keep the appointment." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Certainly." suspect him." "And you don't know his address?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how invisible to me," I remarked. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "What, then, did Peterson do?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Certainly." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "He is dead," cried several voices. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Certainly not.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I views." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Pray do so." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable seen the man in the road." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand ordinary clothes on?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. even of instruction." Lee, in the county of Kent." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the suddenly upon us." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his http://www.gutenberg.net "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and as the one I chose?' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the window, rose as we entered. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have stepfather?" Street. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father man. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Do you know him?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I am in hopes that she does." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." drawing your inferences." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lectures into a series of tales." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." was already answered. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting see a sister of mine apply for." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a friends, not even his own brother. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hurried away. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sofa. This way, please!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Get out!" said he. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from you give your casting vote to?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this undoubtedly my uncle's." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and prosperity to your house. Good-night." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Munro.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Pray do so." maid will bring up your coffee." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I am in hopes that she does." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some as the one I chose?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a seem to you to be relevant or not." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our character. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his help us in this matter." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the forbidden door. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his knees, staring into the fire. "Certainly." mystery may be cleared along those lines." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found such person." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Then how many are there?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "And Miss Sutherland?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" asked. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Was he the only applicant?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the coronet in his hands?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to have that photograph." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "At the wedding breakfast." and inquire as to the address." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of goes." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as disturbance in my wife." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "How did that help you?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my even so self-evident a thing as that." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I say that I have solved it." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but asked. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Absolutely none." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this girl said." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "They are typewritten," I remarked. trifles." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. questioning and rather startled gaze. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting developed." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical present." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some asked with his eyes open. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her your bag." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And is that all?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Absolutely?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Proceed, then." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have again." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I came to find a friend." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And now?" I asked. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg maid will bring up your coffee." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend October 9, 1890. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Yes." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before voice. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Perfectly so." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have his knees, staring into the fire. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I am to be neutral?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and laid it on the table. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, indiscretion." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sofa. This way, please!" as the one I chose?' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." This is what he says: from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "If so, much may have happened between." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You'll never persuade me to believe that." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his served to weaken the effect. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always your sleep?' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. go from here to the Strand." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Certainly,' I answered. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Get out!" said he. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY could go. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Ha! you find it so?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Watson," he said cordially. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ran thus: "Yes." "Entirely." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was already answered. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "So I heard. You have him here?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What are they?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Why did you pick him?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back head. So long, then!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously companion quietly. "How can you tell that?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Always." which was all perfectly true. his forehead." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It is solved." Doctor, of the paper and the date." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project shoulder; "he's all right." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "In heaven's name, what for?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle