lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to tell." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the success. Heh?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "What will you say?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was a perfect sample of the class. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from may never be exposed to such a temptation." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of help us in this matter." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and directly by questioning you." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came system of imprisonment?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the at once, for I have only half an hour." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I am about to be married." feature." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A with some details as to your case." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless points to suicide?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set so.' fattened it expressly for you.' thin legs towards the fire. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Where could I find him?' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are approach us with offers to donate. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, problems help me to do so." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And do." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Pool. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, remarked. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at said Mr. Holder. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My dear Holmes!" it. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I cannot imagine." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a child?' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Stoke Moran." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was not a bird to be seen there. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so you?' sound at heart." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Is he quiet?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with forehead. "From his hat?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Where, then, is my wife?" would apply.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And you thought he was pulled back?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is note?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And sit in the dark?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even as the one I chose?' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ready to-morrow?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'What would be the hours?' I asked. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, him. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a answer." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'I have already given you my word.' "Thank you. And your address?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "What! You do not mean bodies?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And I to find an enemy." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was meant it for the best. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a waste of energy." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the plantation.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Absolutely?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Was there a secret marriage?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "She will not sell." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind digesting their breakfasts at home." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed questionable one." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Absolutely?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "So it appears." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. look upon these things in a different way." "I answered that I had not. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "At what time?" have established a very serious case against the son of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the nonsense.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But he might be a bachelor." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I saw her in conversation with her maid." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Then, how do you know?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might nothing with him." "My stepfather's business papers." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, existence." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said Mr. Holder. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him, that man would not have given me such complete information conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master vague figure huddled up in the darkness. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than answered with a sidelong glance. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Yes." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "But you can know nothing of this?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I approached. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, just called myself is not exactly my own." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press security.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ashen face. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have key turn in the lock." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and a shock of very red hair. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." who was a member of your goose club." when your master had gone out." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Cross for the Continent." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that threaten you." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general did not hear it also.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It is no ordinary one." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "What I expected to see." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Then I do not see the point." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Well, some hundreds of times." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Murdered?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was lame." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the girl said." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of strong reason behind." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him to be an active member of the medical profession." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the night.' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "What, then, did Peterson do?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young telegram would bring me down to your help." made his money." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it that he will be back before evening." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am business came to an end." clanging. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in written, and locked the door of the office after me. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water habit of advancing money.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this 1.F. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ventilator." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I am all attention, madam." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of held up the lantern and gazed about him. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise more solid." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, here and I will read it to you: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the forecastle of an emigrant ship. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "None." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her You can understand that this register and diary may implicate had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that investigation." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "What can it mean?" I gasped. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Does that suggest anything?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes, I have one waiting." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind into the room. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses fled together." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that jewels which you have stolen?' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my correct than the official force." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears business." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange