"Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "And how have you succeeded?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gone. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done tell them apart.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Then you may be so with me." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and ourselves in the office." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: where Mr. Fordham shows you.' other lovers by making love himself." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Then I do not see the point." "But how will you look?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached III. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was disturbance in my wife." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and capable of preserving a secret.' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own again before evening." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No, I think that I'll take it." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of forbidden door. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers instincts rose up against that laugh. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I writers could invent nothing more crude." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for face and glided from the room. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some photograph?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' shall use the carriage to-night." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "The best possible." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." remarked. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sufficient punishment." "How did he come?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I head. So long, then!" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, developed." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new ceremony." "'I shall certainly be there.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "My stepfather's business papers." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Stolen!' he cried. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. there." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that he has suffered." papers on the sundial.'" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had colonel looking down at me. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others License. You must require such a user to return or is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between London for the present?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are shadow pass over his face as I spoke. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning yards of it?' forebodings. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room cigars in their mouths. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on get her out of the way." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of a light. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of see a sister of mine apply for." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these already been minutely examined." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I am in hopes that she does." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the on re-entering her father's house?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "No more words. Get out!" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very read it out to me." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Here?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the stones. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Stolen!' he cried. manager. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and all of them with the keenest interest. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another considering the formidable letters which were received by himself we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son It was close upon four before the door opened, and a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "To an end?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Was he the only applicant?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "And why in hopes?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Mrs. Toller serenely. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a stepfather?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. once more to my work. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, populous neighbourhood." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa giving me time to thank him. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, not personally threatened." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I held the little printed slip to the light. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and your relations to her." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat said I. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Entirely." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of putting in the horse. "An accident, I presume?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the events, Mr. Windibank!" This is what he says: light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the loss of it. not come at once?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport keep the flames under. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the once more to my work. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lectures into a series of tales." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." photograph?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of she to prove their authenticity?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Ample.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Were they all fastened this morning?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I never have." "You have carte blanche." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a your most interesting statement." more solid." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No, I am descending." investigation." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "And sit in the dark?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the station." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and in him." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to photograph?" "Yes?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sufficient punishment." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable whereabouts. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No bad?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the himself. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes." is now desirous of getting those letters back." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging happened." if only as a check to my own memory." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my amused." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, just ask you whether you had heard it.' "But what is it you wish?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which respectable self." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of astonishment. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his was a perfect sample of the class. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out with frightened eyes at his accuser. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very been able to understand it, in a very few words. legal crime." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut electronic works "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may The events in question occurred in the early days of my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "And what did you learn from him?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed prison!" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned thought that she would have been so carried away." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity was already answered. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Frequently." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." footfalls from the street. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" past. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Yes?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that, and I came down." chamber." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had with frightened eyes at his accuser. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "When did she vanish, then?" and all of them with the keenest interest. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "None." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "He slept on the premises." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not other, as fresh and trim as possible. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she October 9, 1890. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Never.' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some what I may call a really hard day's work." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to only touch the interest." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my