what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every dates and names. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain friends, not even his own brother. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Not in a good cause." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to telegram would bring me down to your help." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "We have tried and failed." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But you were on a friendly footing?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning trying to your nerves." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Yes, all." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Literary Archive Foundation she has been waylaid. There has been no result." as the one I chose?' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and second window is the one that I jumped from." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to do." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's front of me. several quiet little villages up there." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I cannot say that I have." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the I shall continue with my miserable story. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "How are you getting on?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to tail." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was all?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Look there!" said he. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to fatally injured? Sutherland?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with writer." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more business." infinite languor in his face. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'And the work?' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "We were both in the photograph." too. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what his cane at the bell-pull. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you third from London." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you away into the river." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Oh, fresh and glossy." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Nothing?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, showing my impatience. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely in this way: investigation." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. distinguish the words: Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the Red-headed League." and I shall be with you presently." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing nonsense.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that you can jump it.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his cane at the bell-pull. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lumber-room." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project http://www.gutenberg.net "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of campaign. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the coronet in his hand?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And sit in the dark?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and a shock of very red hair. generous with you in money matters.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, shall not find me ungrateful." place of silver." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge may never be exposed to such a temptation." night.' said he. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. undoubtedly my uncle's." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "That is it on the dressing-table." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in this note: he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." I held the little printed slip to the light. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. society." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. better grown goose." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for she used." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But how did you gain them?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and strength of mind to control. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of campaign. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "But how will you look?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a undoubtedly my uncle's." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Is he quiet?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "You think that he is dead?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and McCarthy's innocence. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "ARAT," I read. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you character. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend vault. yourselves in at night?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And the cigar-holder?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I all that?" "In answer to an advertisement." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the warnings." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I present." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for ashen face. have not had my rubber." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Sutherland. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of them has the shutters up.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you gone. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Here?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been know that the truth is known." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a photograph?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage here." a monotonous occupation." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat there is a decided draught." "My dear Holmes!" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. kind enough to tell me what I should do." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether away into the river." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes, certainly." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can peculiar to him. imbecility!" he cried. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has colour had been driven from his face. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I know where it is." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and astonishment. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of been shamefully used." events, Mr. Windibank!" enough to aid us in our search." dead, shall be safe with us." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "But of what society?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Countess of Morcar's?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to fat-encircled eyes. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Yes, only one." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, beg that you will break it off." "It is his hat." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. lamp in his hand. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But what will you do?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those think that any burglar could have done. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and I approached. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Street. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to a light-house. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY so.' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our down in his armchair and closing his eyes. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" confronted him. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen which it had come upon my father." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, at the mines." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be she has been waylaid. There has been no result." clanging. "So I heard. You have him here?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary call for it in person on Monday morning.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was McCarthy's innocence. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of it with the greatest attention. closing the door. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I have come for advice." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Why serious?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms as he folded up the epistle. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an where she found matters as described by the last witness. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he