someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Stolen!' he cried. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we families. Now for the facts. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the bed, and you in that chair." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But to whom?" was a perfect sample of the class. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And on what day did he meet his death?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' already been minutely examined." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple joking. "'What then?' I asked. disturbance in my wife." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY not as remarkable as your advertisement." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the them present such singular features as the strange train of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Certainly." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Yes, sir.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy memory. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It missed him, then?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: indeed happy." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have was a loud and authoritative tap. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to have been novel and of interest." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had obstinate." mysterious business." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the coronet in his hand?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What do you mean?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling His name is Francis Prosper." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress But Holmes shook his head gravely. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I will get her to show me." "Have you it here?" mystery!" the best of training." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and your relations to her." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Seven!" I answered. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square what is your own theory as to what took place?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his had a long day." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her brandy and water within his reach. again on its way. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that breakfast." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and laid it on the table. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a papers must be those that are destroyed.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "That is easily got." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wedding?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. wall." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there there when the Rucastles went away." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and I shall be with you presently." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, as this. Pray let me have the details." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the taking in every detail of the apartment. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, place of silver." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" friends, not even his own brother. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of Fenchurch Street." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building into the room. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Holmes' thin, eager face. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "To an end?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Yesterday." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that?' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the The events in question occurred in the early days of my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had straightened it out again. was a lad." "Married! When?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Street. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I have a cab outside." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "And why?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Not I." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You have the photograph?" "Which are?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "And now?" He raised his hand. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You know me, then?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in the hope of finding them." "Yes, certainly." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society subject to the trademark license, especially commercial me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Is he quiet?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss he bowed and left the room without another word. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as This is what he says: gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the tail." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes, that is the Crown." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And why in hopes?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last man. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Dirty?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as go back?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" business?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill front of the hall door has given its name to the place. about. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You were travelling in the States?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my round and wave him away like that.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said if only as a check to my own memory." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the very morning of the wedding." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been death." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes, I have one waiting." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid even so self-evident a thing as that." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a case before our client came into the room." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This such attractions and accomplishments?' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his this remarkable episode. happened." emerged. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It him!" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the night.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. be there in time for your coming." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Holmes' room. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving absorbing." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, 1.F. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'There is a drive, then?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name look upon these things in a different way." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I made his money." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of the vacancies.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "That you are never beaten." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in a friendly supper." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the stones. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and guilty one." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection maid will bring up your coffee." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have important." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended miles off. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then he might have called to you?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than was not a bird to be seen there. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to-night's adventure." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to-morrow." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a putting in the horse. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a me. You must get home instantly and act." figure." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there you." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and looked back. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'A dozen yards or so.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, companion. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He said too much." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Holmes' face clouded over. away to you." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Did your wife hear all this?" voice, changing her seat as requested. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, I think that I'll take it." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. third from London." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "May I see it?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'I am sure if I had known--' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of