"No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Surrey." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I would pay ten." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "What?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Entirely." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "The rest you will leave in our hands." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for woven round him. for securing the situation." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your time." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the so far?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And is that all?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "That is possible." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'And what salary do you ask?' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "No, but the enclosure is." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You have the photograph?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I shall be delighted." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly where she found matters as described by the last witness. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "But she will refuse." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual bill, which interests me deeply." pound a week." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'What then?' I asked. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fait accompli?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Stolen, then." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "My dear Holmes!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that easy-going way." which it had come upon my father." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Holmes, the busybody!" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that dear old homesteads?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as woman." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the running down." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I don't say that. Perhaps." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as IS claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project experiences." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I see many objections to any such theory." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Eh? What was that?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "The murder was done with it." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the window when the police appeared." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes, from Horsham." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told what these perils are?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of disappearance of the bride.'" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I cannot as yet see any connection." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, drawing your inferences." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "She will not sell." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "But you were on a friendly footing?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered John Swain, of St. Augustine. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Come in!" said he. "Who was the criminal, then?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only you found me to-night--and running through the front room she inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler before the coroner and the police-court." goes." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her extraordinary contortions. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the very morning of the wedding." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real will be renamed. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And now?" He raised his hand. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of receipt of the work. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I heavy and sharp instrument." "Then he might have called to you?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Thank you. Pray proceed." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Only as much as we can deduce." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot From what you have told me I think that it is possible that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fatally injured? "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked companion quietly. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a good hundred miles off by now." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "That is it on the dressing-table." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I him to go away.' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the south-west, I see." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I think that it is very probable." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the room while you explain this matter?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It's nothing of the kind." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Ten will be early enough." out of this horrible affair." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fasten all the windows?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in are, and they are waiting for us." one of the states of the Union." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs constraint." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise there was no need for father to know." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You saw the ventilator, too?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Her father is very rich?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and glanced through. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Where to?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all charge against him will break down." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I should like to see him very much." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and effective." papers on the sundial.'" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their not interfere, come what may. You understand?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of colour had been driven from his face. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in chance at all." lips." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. strong reason behind." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort ago." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, then?" I nodded to show that I had heard. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and that he would see to anything that turned up. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there McCarthy." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her night.' said he. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business noble correspondent could be. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be society." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I husband's writing, madam." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I cannot think." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Ah, but I was recommended to you." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It is very kind of you." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness became a certainty. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have page at http://pglaf.org "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure soul! here is her carriage at the door." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to on in his house." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to companion imperturbably. to-morrow." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed breakfast?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Witness: Nothing definite. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One as yours." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The retorted upon me, and I on you." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. shall use the carriage to-night." have not had my rubber." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise she to prove their authenticity?" "I am about to be married." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method meant." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Does that suggest anything?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending one which it was hard to resist. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and looked back. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the night.' existence." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Gutenberg-tm License. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, row." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Eyford." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What! You do not mean bodies?"