others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the bearing upon the case." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who them, and came down just as you departed. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan examination of the premises, but without finding anything which say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait such attractions and accomplishments?' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. London for the present?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I served to weaken the effect. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw death." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the cigar and let me expound." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal of Mr. Rucastle's." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely strode off upon his way. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "It came here." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his you in your example." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "In what way?" asked Holmes. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Precisely so. But how--" matters immensely." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of or other trace. But how on earth--" was shining brightly. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, look upon these things in a different way." "I cannot imagine." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the my secret was safe in his possession. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "My own seal." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "You have the photograph?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You have compromised yourself seriously." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" whether it answered to the description of any of their of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid as yours." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. just called myself is not exactly my own." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and window when the police appeared." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first plantation.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our place no limit on the sum I may draw." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "His face fell immediately. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, said he. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and your relations to her." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Not I." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his bill, which interests me deeply." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of note?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through girl said." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are even of instruction." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "In heaven's name, what for?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. the little opening for the ventilator is." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Did your wife hear all this?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector during which he might have communicated with his friend the events than those which have happened in my own family." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment suggested at once that there must be a communication between the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I will do it." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." village inn over there?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Has he come with you to-night?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, something of him before." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with her." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." Sutherland?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in the hope of finding them." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I cannot tell." a very grave face. "'How far from the body?' true." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Count Von Kramm." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the did not hear it also.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And who is her maid?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up morning." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'A dozen yards or so.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "When did she vanish, then?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You have but to name it." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part flock.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he important." manager. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Watson," he said cordially. chance." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and disturbance in my wife." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the bed, and you in that chair." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "What have you to say now?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them client, rising. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Yes, I have one waiting." later, upon the night of May 2nd." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from yourselves in at night?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Very good.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." back alive. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your learned something! Where are the gems?" you for a few hours?" for the market.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Holmes. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "One of his hands." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident with you?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "That is not always so easy." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "How did you trace it, then?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It is very kind of you." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of thin legs towards the fire. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And why in hopes?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Whose house is it?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "So it appears." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Witness: I must still refuse. I have it here in my museum." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back brandy and water within his reach. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Did your wife hear all this?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pound a week." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you certainly do as you advise." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Then how many are there?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the salesman. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lost his Christmas dinner." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Witness: Nothing definite. Mary, has deserted me." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What! You do not mean bodies?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold has little to do with my story." heavily into it. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if guilty one." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "But the mystery?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shall use the carriage to-night." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the window, rose as we entered. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Nothing?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Pray do so." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." carried out of court." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but promised to bring home. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You are hungry," I remarked. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I are, I think, all that we need." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to night.' said he. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," companion quietly. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and your relations to her." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I should be immensely obliged to you." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That's no good." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I see no marks." newspaper selections." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of instituted." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. breakfast." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "But it has twice been burgled." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this question you as to those details which seem to me to be most is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Pope's Court. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Then I do not see the point." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of again." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing better grown goose." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" became a certainty. examine." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Very murderous indeed." fluttered off among the others. "He slept on the premises." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Yes, certainly." to-night's adventure." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having intimate personal affairs in this public manner." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Not him." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six wanted for ourselves." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be