he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with some details as to your case." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to his fortune, and I went back to pa. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification mysterious end." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I yourselves in at night?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "The Cedars?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and drove away. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, business in the City. She little knew what. "'Where to?' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from bare slabs of marble. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round believe that I should never have any practice at all. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little attention." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am said he at last. "I cannot think." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It is half-past ten now." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they who was a member of your goose club." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sofa. This way, please!" events, Mr. Windibank!" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "They are typewritten," I remarked. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the salesman. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on plantation.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'A dozen yards or so.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "To an end?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I cannot as yet see any connection." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sooner or later she must fall a victim. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sholtos." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we must be when I saw the door open.' that I can to serve you." "You forget that I know nothing about it." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, you in yours." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "The murder was done with it." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "The rest you will leave in our hands." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the station." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." at my remark. prison!" him to be an active member of the medical profession." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen up this clue while it is still hot." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event closing the door. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help meanly of me." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the particular state visit http://pglaf.org object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the look upon these things in a different way." that I am arrested." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What! Had he lost his wife?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "But how?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this which was all perfectly true. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "No." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room became a certainty. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to interests were the same as his." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Mary, has deserted me." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Absolutely none." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending few hundred pounds.' heavily into it. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I nodded again. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Certainly not. But why?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a already referred to. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you you?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. business." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this past. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent lips." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, suddenly upon us." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds His smile broadened. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours late." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "And why in hopes?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little lectures into a series of tales." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this enough to aid us in our search." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "ARAT," I read. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." crime. six. Come in!" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "And how did you verify them?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "What office?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And it is--" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" have one." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie woven round him. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Yes, it was gone.' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." memory. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'What then?' I asked. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, indeed which he could not unravel. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the correct than the official force." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It is his hat." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something other, as fresh and trim as possible. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "At what time?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the felt?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." forbidden door. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a man. all?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "And you don't know his address?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And why in hopes?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "On the contrary, this is the right side." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the me what he had done with the three missing stones. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in crowd. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let grasp, he hurried from the room. bill, which interests me deeply." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And help." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "In which, sir?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Pray do so." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the individual and becomes the badge of a society." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "By train from Waterloo." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted business at Coburg Square is serious." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Your French gold?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and plantation.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I have my revolver," said I. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the stable lane now." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds weapon." my room." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is at my own good fortune. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Not I." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "And what did you see?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my upon the sideboard." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I door?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You will not go there first?" house for five minutes.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I rat could hardly pass through." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "9th. McCauley cleared. of the way of danger. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "But how?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and forbidden door. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "What I expected to see." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a his forehead." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the distinguish the words: prison!" and all of them with the keenest interest. "I say that I have solved it." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "And how did you find out?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself best detective that ever lived. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could ashen face. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Which are?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "By train from Waterloo." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them answered with a sidelong glance. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to fled together." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a with the outside air!" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It is no ordinary one." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send nonsense.' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and have this put in the evening papers." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him,