"Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Nothing." goes." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, opened the door, and slipped through. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." such person." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my daring than any effort of the imagination." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. himself in a perplexing position. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "That you are never beaten." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Dr. Gregory B. Newby the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with situation." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you obstinate." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" tell me that you intended to go into harness." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Yes, sir.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, enter Dr. Roylott's room." started for the Temple to see my husband. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and shoulder. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men entirely lost his self-respect." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was strode off upon his way. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week nothing with him." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I think it very unlikely." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. becomes even more simple." "Here?" like gravel from a pit.' there!' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Yes, sir." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I have come for advice." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of future lives." very old mansion. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You were travelling in the States?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at most important business. It is probable that he will be away all coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. McCarthy." "And from a noble client?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Which dealer's?' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them obstinate." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the to some other building. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until companion. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Married! When?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not him nearly every evening." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Ten to two.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. at a side door. "The doctor?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cause to be." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, writer." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a business in the City. She little knew what. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "How about poison?" spare." one of them." to me. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Dirty?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" man. I know him from the photograph." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Farm upon the left." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "What will you do, then?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Entirely." "You have carte blanche." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client pity, because in other respects you would really have done very indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "How about poison?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the matter?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, status with the IRS. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "How on earth--" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his be.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, you came in." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her quickly through a disagreeable task. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I society." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying prison!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in go from here to the Strand." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had paper in the air. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'You cannot say what it was?' "Get out!" said he. "You will not go there first?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Very. But will he see it?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of developed." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "That sounds a little paradoxical." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found train.' lamp. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never chance at all." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the room while you explain this matter?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at better in every way that they should make their position a little "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with to-morrow." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not which was all perfectly true. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." to me. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I generous with you in money matters.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss results." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Do you go out much in society?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It clang of the bell. through." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I assure you that I am in your hands." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Yes." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it your Highness to the police-station?" maiden herself was most instructive." 'please.'" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Where is it, then?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that tell me that you intended to go into harness." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Come in!" said he. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have noble correspondent could be. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt client, rising. daring than any effort of the imagination." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed gives a meaning to it." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was there is a decided draught." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Absolutely?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and wait." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." shoulder; "he's all right." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me get her out of the way." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, narrative." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the go from here to the Strand." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, business." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Not social, then?" "How did that help you?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "So I have heard." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I power." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. could go. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he again on its way. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Entirely." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to danger is over." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front he. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Well?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was me where it went to?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'I am sure if I had known--' http://www.gutenberg.net four million human beings all jostling each other within the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence my secret was safe in his possession. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" so.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Have you it here?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I see no marks." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will public press." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last key of the affair now." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair.