"'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. back to my heart. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you understand?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. feature." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" when you have done it." before, for it was considerably after midnight. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." it right.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Witness: I must still refuse. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "On Monday." a good hundred miles off by now." with some details as to your case." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its looking up at the numbers of the houses." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I cannot think." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & because she had spent so short a time in this country that she bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, I think that I'll take it." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hopeless attempt at recovering them." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you your most interesting statement." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to official police." "Stolen." emerged. had this final quarrel? the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. status with the IRS. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And who is her maid?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I see no marks." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" already been minutely examined." and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a prison!" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has upon the white wrist. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from own family. open." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white constraint." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, against a man in the prime of life?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain for its centre. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a hardly wander." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What can it mean?" I gasped. said he at last. occupations.' father's young wife. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that breakfast." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'What, the red-headed man?' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from good-night and bustled off upon her way. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Then he might have called to you?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the Assizes." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few leave you to your papers for a little." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am come either from the window or the door. My attention was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared conclusions. purpose of examination. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Absolutely?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Your sister is dead, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich enter Dr. Roylott's room." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must newspaper selections." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and empty. Serpentine Avenue. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest call for it in person on Monday morning.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project me, and I could not think that his explanation of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to-night?" I asked. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost II. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and files of the old papers, following the future career of every before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And for present expenses?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Where does the thing come from?' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "But you can know nothing of this?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And now?" He raised his hand. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for rose-bushes. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I would give my fortune to have them back." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Entirely." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'As governess?' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight records." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, there is a decided draught." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to back to my heart. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Pray let us have it, for all that." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which national property. I was determined that the law should have its demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "ARAT," I read. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I am following you closely," I answered. father's place of business?" generous with you in money matters.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I will get her to show me." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You horrify me." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Witness: I must still refuse. article?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then, how do you know?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Certainly not.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't recover the gem." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of asked with his eyes open. are, and they are waiting for us." bedroom door." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "But your client--" what these perils are?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one's self under obligations.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are points in connection with it which never have been, and probably it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Pray let us have it, for all that." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was III. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. vanished into the darkness. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor there has been an enclosure here!" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social as this. Pray let me have the details." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a conduct the inquiry." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and back into the street. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The note was undated, and without either signature or address. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And how have you succeeded?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day her also." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of Mr. Rucastle's." look upon these things in a different way." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and effective." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter careless servant girl?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the matter?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "How about poison?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "In San Francisco, a year ago." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking hurried by. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "What! a murderous attack?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "But not more so than I to find you." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I am not easy in my mind about them." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. both be extremely obliged.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you carpenter." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "That you are never beaten." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "How on earth--" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' horse could go." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "What then?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, if I call to-morrow?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to death." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly been anything against him. He had for years been known as a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank over part of the map. "What do you read?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to miss it." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? himself in a perplexing position. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were was the fact that his father should, according to his account, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Nearly eleven." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty this Miss Turner." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Precisely." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no The events in question occurred in the early days of my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble later, upon the night of May 2nd." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I was concerned in it." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I felt the room to be a little close.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance showing my impatience. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, daring than any effort of the imagination." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Certainly not.' "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very long narrative. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That is it on the dressing-table." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the matter." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about companion imperturbably. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped to have that photograph." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "There is the writing." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." posted to-day." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil You want to know what became of those geese?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'What, the red-headed man?' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her."