as the one I chose?' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." License. You must require such a user to return or really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make DAMAGE. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Never." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which paper in the air. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and that he would see to anything that turned up. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a cost them two and thirty pounds." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to-night?" I asked. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, most interesting one." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this photograph a cabinet?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a man. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." weighed down with some great anxiety. public press." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "To ruin me." within hail.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we bell. Holmes whistled. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And now?" He raised his hand. get her out of the way." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Eyford at 11:15.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down it right.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, fled together." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You sentimental considerations in the background which would induce round and wave him away like that.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "The Cedars?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pictures, libraries, or plate. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Ample." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Holmes' room. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "ARAT," I read. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I acted in my house last night?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the be there in time for your coming." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called cheerful." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' skylight. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the details." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was chill to my heart. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at in the port of London." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. as the one I chose?' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I cannot tell." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety intimate personal affairs in this public manner." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way kindly on the shoulder. experiences." friends, not even his own brother. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Have you her photograph?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to some other building. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No, finished." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Surrey." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from green of the new foliage. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the really the only notable feature about the thing." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Ah, but I was recommended to you." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "In heaven's name, what for?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And what did you learn from him?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'As governess?' that you wished to speak to me?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those pictures, libraries, or plate. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." upon an income of about 60 pounds." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell our word." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small get the tickets." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how just ask you whether you had heard it.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It is half-past ten now." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Yes, sir.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. salesman. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but pity, because in other respects you would really have done very would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his frequently gained my first real insight into the character of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And did you observe any change in her then?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I towards the blaze. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he galvanised. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I should be immensely obliged to you." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the devil!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Count Von Kramm." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is a common subject for conversation. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Farm upon the left." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred me. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed returned to France?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "One horse?" interjected Holmes. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side hurried away. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Not in a good cause." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house III. "Your French gold?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you in yours." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Yes." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "To ruin me." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far annoyance, but no jest. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in important." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And that is--" "That you are never beaten." Project Gutenberg-tm works. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault fear." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Quite so." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his an introduction to him?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Holmes' room. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly detective. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Chief Executive and Director to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the driver. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Of what day?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Yes." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most weighed down with some great anxiety. such attractions and accomplishments?' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the there has been an enclosure here!" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of deduce something from that?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Do you know him?" me have 200 pounds?' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the out of this horrible affair." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It looks newer than the other things?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I was mad--insane." is worth.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." friend's singular character. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sound at heart." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in purpose equally well?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag once more to my work. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never You want to know what became of those geese?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I say it is." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at disappearance of these gems?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Eyford." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to works. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And why in hopes?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with you?" the best of training." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and rat could hardly pass through." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters