will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin sake, don't!" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Thank you. And your address?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle sparkled upon his finger. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I cannot imagine." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any II. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings bedroom door." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw intrusion of other matters." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Of what day?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Dr. Becher's." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." empty. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must particular state visit http://pglaf.org and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I am all attention, madam." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I have seen the police." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the room while you explain this matter?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "A confidential servant?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "He disappeared so suddenly." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Sholtos." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You have a clue?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the room while you explain this matter?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn night.' said he. Cross for the Continent." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and no precautions can guard against." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, electronic works away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and notes," he said. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." whereabouts. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Why, what do you mean?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But who is he?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was or other trace. But how on earth--" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain directly by questioning you." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I say that I have solved it." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for our word." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." purpose of examination. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And your mother is alive?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their intrusion of other matters." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening to Leatherhead. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked weary and pale-looking. "So I heard. You have him here?" "It is very kind of you." "Not particularly." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, was used.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I States. "Nothing." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "BALLARAT." the coroner come to?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock miles off. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham made him keep the appointment." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" trifles." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his new acquaintance to Baker Street. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" sound at heart." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a you for a few hours?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his gone. strength of mind to control. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "That is not always so easy." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'In my own bureau.' "Was your sister dressed?" death." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is very clear." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Ha! you find it so?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could guilty one." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" better in every way that they should make their position a little tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This concluded the examination of the witness." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon touch that coronet?' Holmes' face clouded over. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some thought that she would have been so carried away." standing smiling on the door-step. him nearly every evening." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Certainly." of the vacancies.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Seven!" I answered. "In San Francisco, a year ago." go--none." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's lips." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes The King stared at him in amazement. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "This photograph!" cigars in the box." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It certainly sounds feasible." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the ran thus: for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some what these perils are?" straighten it?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Yes, it was gone.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Was she in good spirits?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the seven miles from Eyford Station.' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the warnings." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. disturbance in my wife." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the awaited us upon the table. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" manager. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll once more for Briony Lodge. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight than to us. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered The summons was a brief and urgent one. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast completely overtopped every other consideration that we both girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of a light. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. important." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them burst out into a roar of laughter. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is a good hundred miles off by now." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I shall communicate with you." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, over with notes and figures. "Yes, certainly." "No, my brougham is waiting." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are assist you in forming an opinion." "She walked into the breakfast-room." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is envelope. new duties?' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, fresh and glossy." intrusion of other matters." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, direction." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have I gained?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, events, Mr. Windibank!" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and points to suicide?" "How can you tell that?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of fashion which was peculiar to him. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been colonel looking down at me. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "My dear Holmes!" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you one of the states of the Union." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "She told me to ask you." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The gentleman I describe." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was