he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it? Did I buy the geese off you?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a looking up at the numbers of the houses." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and behind me. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." what I may call a really hard day's work." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It is no ordinary one." your Highness to the police-station?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'I have already given you my word.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "There are none." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. your equipment. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor your sleep?' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "And why in hopes?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of a light. the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Stolen." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I have hopes." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his province." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable me. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Indeed! Whose, then?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a into the room. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to tell." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your morning." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to secret." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to me have 200 pounds?' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Then you may be so with me." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore good-night and bustled off upon her way. will not take me long to tell. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I will not look." in a friendly supper." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have cigar and let me expound." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of up this clue while it is still hot." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Your French gold?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in one or two places in England?' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address you, my dear young lady?' would then never go into court at all." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not later, upon the night of May 2nd." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, you." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Dark enough and sinister enough." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "He slept on the premises." meant." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and towards the blaze. main points of my analysis." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand be there in time for your coming." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of a light. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." out of this horrible affair." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons from you?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I nodded to show that I had heard. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And Irene Adler?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at digesting their breakfasts at home." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" cigar and let me expound." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Most admirably.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Count Von Kramm." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been presented more singular features than that which was associated hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my all-comprehensive glances. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him waste of energy." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "But what will you do?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Street. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I don't believe it." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Clair, of Lee." Miss Holder?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Does that suggest anything?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be him to go away.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You have but to name it." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" away into the river." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said face and glided from the room. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Will you bet, then?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I am still in the dark." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Then you may be so with me." outsides of the windows. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper up this clue while it is still hot." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the date of his supposed suicide." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "What! a murderous attack?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his where we are going." done what I asked you, Jones?" hurried away. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice were wasted." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one had picked up in the wood. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon maiden herself was most instructive." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open purpose of examination. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and he died? "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." acquaintance?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could examine." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. tension within him. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic six. Come in!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden during which he might have communicated with his friend the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I say that I have solved it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Holmes, the busybody!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "None." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "How did he come?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Absolutely?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the stones. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the page at http://pglaf.org which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it happened." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. open." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which over his head with a sweet womanly caress. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "How do you know, then?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by think, you have already met." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And the cigar-holder?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Thank you. And your address?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped