have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's comes from the middle window." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I was mad--insane." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special intimate personal affairs in this public manner." article?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to one of them." manager. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed that threaten you." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You heard nothing yourself last night?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fatally injured? receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to over with notes and figures. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "The best possible." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great held up the lantern and gazed about him. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. is a common subject for conversation. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped think that any burglar could have done. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend which was all perfectly true. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "But how?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or answered with a sidelong glance. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "My dear Holmes!" Arthur Conan Doyle "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the warnings." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from your billet.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely purpose equally well?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "My dear Holmes!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Why did you beat the pavement?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed will take you up to see the machine.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." read over the extraordinary announcement. suddenly upon us." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Lee, in the county of Kent." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And you can do nothing until then?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. figure." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to that open window." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and our word." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the warnings." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." constraint." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, passage and a tap at the door. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner married her." "Pray do so." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. careless servant girl?" "One of the highest in England." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, strong reason behind." "Well, but China?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "On your arm?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular writing, and yet I know it well." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his locked. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside awkward doing business with an alias." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Never." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Bought." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him such person." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even wedding?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked tell them apart.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and confronted him. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope late." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in his hands." help us in this matter." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging mystery may be cleared along those lines." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "My stepfather's business papers." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case interested in these little problems, and since you are good was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "You will not go there first?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with drawing your inferences." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the best of training." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! here." "What can it mean?" I gasped. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I nodded to show that I had heard. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. best detective that ever lived. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Henry Baker is a member." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' true." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the ceiling. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The vanishing of the lady." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am whether it answered to the description of any of their conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "No, finished." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" husband's writing, madam." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' drawing your inferences." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your them present such singular features as the strange train of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "That you are never beaten." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, or in danger--" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It surprised me." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You did not overhear what they said?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during call it cruel." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the man. I know him from the photograph." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hour." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hands. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "And when will you call?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and dear old homesteads?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that he has suffered." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "You think so, too?" "My dear Holmes!" chill to my heart. "Murdered?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have might help us?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me his face. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be frequently gained my first real insight into the character of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a crowd. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in a friendly supper." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "But it has twice been burgled." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were examine." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Why? What do you mean?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an weighed down with some great anxiety. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope asked with his eyes open. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "What!" he roared. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "VIOLET HUNTER." tension within him. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Precisely." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It be there in time for your coming." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head rat could hardly pass through." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. correct than the official force." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And now?" He raised his hand. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would way: gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I came to find a friend." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man he bowed and left the room without another word. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and when you have done it." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a row." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to