It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." conceal it?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as is so. I know all about McCarthy." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our minor matters until to-morrow." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the King without delay." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to gbnewby@pglaf.org condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been door?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always place, I think that there is good ground to think that the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' tell him that I know him to be innocent." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the bed, and you in that chair." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City mystery!" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Come in!" said Holmes. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his prison!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon other, as fresh and trim as possible. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." fire. You quite follow me?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns anything to do with the matter?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this next day. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came bed dies. Does not that strike you?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "That is possible." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of future lives." that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become people in all walks of life. security.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I shall communicate with you." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so been anything against him. He had for years been known as a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I cannot think." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Stoke Moran?" said he. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And why in hopes?" "I know where it is." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To success. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "She walked into the breakfast-room." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," goes." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a has little to do with my story." that there was nothing in it, after all." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as copied or distributed: "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "What are they?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a morning." His smile broadened. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at absorbing." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Why serious?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Ten to two.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "None." "BALLARAT." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I how narrow had been my escape. his forehead." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing as he remarks, very much against the son." weary and pale-looking. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend never to learn it at all." flock.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "That is not always so easy." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And note?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A right! Sit down and let us talk it over." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad within hail.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and no precautions can guard against." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. certainly not very gracious." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was empty. off." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and effective." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. done what I asked you, Jones?" "It must be recovered." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "My dear Holmes!" "But it has twice been burgled." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "She showed me, as I told you she would." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the beyond words. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "From his hat?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an at a side door. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the it right.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would skylight. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should burst out into a roar of laughter. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The best possible." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would McCarthy's innocence. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden into the room. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the overpowering excitement and concern. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been ways including including checks, online payments and credit card freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest this as likely?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Do you go out much in society?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'What do you call purely nominal?' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no some terrible trap for her." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Where to?' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist unclasping of his long thin hands. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The best possible." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What, then?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Edgeware Road. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I yourselves in at night?" "Was she in good spirits?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. come either from the window or the door. My attention was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for sparkled upon his finger. and effective." the tragedy. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me impression behind it as though a window had gently closed or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had purpose of examination. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I particular state visit http://pglaf.org beg that you will break it off." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that threaten you." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was populous neighbourhood." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." handed it to him. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. you." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to more solid." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of assist you in forming an opinion." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his you." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point pierced for earrings?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." cigars in their mouths. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "None." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to during which he might have communicated with his friend the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so chance." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And I to find an enemy." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking sofa. This way, please!" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a go from here to the Strand." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to third from London." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that?' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "No more words. Get out!" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'What then?' I asked. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any