"Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but acquaintance?" entirely devoid of interest." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "By no means." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." into the bag, and made for the door. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I have seen the police." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of the efforts of the United States government and of the better arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "What of the rat, then?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the upon the sideboard." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I am not easy in my mind about them." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, yes, easily." placed his cuttings. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "She showed me, as I told you she would." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the me have 200 pounds?' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "But we can't all be." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an such person." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with you?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It goes to the housekeeper's room." developed." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary becomes even more simple." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," seven miles from Eyford Station.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I would pay ten." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up beyond words. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Upon what point?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "You have it, sir, just as it happened." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "By train from Waterloo." "And I." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater burst out into a roar of laughter. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home my friend's incisive reasoning. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Have you her photograph?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in overpowering excitement and concern. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything delighted to hear it," he said. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "To ruin me." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the salesman. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the events, Mr. Windibank!" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it not interfere, come what may. You understand?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently strong and stiff." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," she to prove their authenticity?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A heavily into it. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fat-encircled eyes. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I should wish to." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that I can to serve you." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It missed him, then?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I before the coroner and the police-court." up this clue while it is still hot." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ashen face. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his woman." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough visitors." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, this man was intellectual?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the better in every way that they should make their position a little "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain article?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. excitement. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "To the police?" "It must be recovered." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps is four-and-twenty." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a tail." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his colonel looking down at me. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the station." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Yes, I have one waiting." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ways of our fellow-men." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I a suggestive one." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And Miss Sutherland?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this remarkable episode. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and as this. Pray let me have the details." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that towards the blaze. "May I see it?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fasten all the windows?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the side-table." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Watson," he said cordially. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years quickly through a disagreeable task. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. had a long day." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "At the wedding breakfast." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon direction." was shining brightly. in the dead of the night?' extraordinary contortions. heavy and sharp instrument." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Eyford." any more." this man was intellectual?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their foresight and the moral retrogression?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Most admirably.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that is," said he presently: down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "My own seal." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Eyford." II. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure young Openshaw's." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the 1.F. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will has little to do with my story." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in the hope of finding them." both be extremely obliged.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so about here speaks of his kindness to him." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Where is it, then?" Sutherland?" closely." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "In what way?" asked Holmes. him and tried to hold him back. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and you came in." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "One of the highest in England." Holmes." kindly on the shoulder. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in this note: "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who to affect your life." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Serpentine Avenue. "It surprised me." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are article?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Is purely nominal.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the loss of it. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Literary Archive Foundation The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "About a month then." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and inquire as to the address." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. disappearance of these gems?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," call you and give you the chance." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "You have but to name it." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bled considerably." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. do you make of it all?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Munro.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You have a clue?" "It is no ordinary one." was not a bird to be seen there. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her