feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "My stepfather's business papers." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Have you her photograph?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to purpose equally well?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo him nearly every evening." "I have hopes." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean late." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the your co-operation." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my as this. Pray let me have the details." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Does that suggest anything?" "How did he come?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the client, rising. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the will take you up to see the machine.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the window, rose as we entered. pierced for earrings?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his sooner or later she must fall a victim. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice most interesting one." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and said I. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I gone. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, details." me what he had done with the three missing stones. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique It may be so in this case, also." "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that I am arrested." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to that open window." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to said I. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each comes from the middle window." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that you saw all that I did." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger me. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "On the contrary, this is the right side." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence works. "It came here." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "To an end?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'It is locked up,' I answered. time." some water from a caraffe. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes?" sound at heart." written. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I will try. What is it?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "But of what society?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have charge against him will break down." "My photograph." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, unkempt, staring out at me. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and once more for Briony Lodge. "No?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "You know me, then?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay chance." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man for the market.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the distinguish the words: card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It is possible." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" as he remarks, very much against the son." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk bears upon the case?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, believe that I should never have any practice at all. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, indeed happy." "I cannot imagine." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I think it very unlikely." "In the cells." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have my special province." to-morrow." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Then, as to money?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the will he say when he returns?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." take the flies, but not before." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And you can do nothing until then?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Ample." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier It was close upon four before the door opened, and a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth maid will bring up your coffee." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. him to go away.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, him to go away.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as yards of it?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get works. "Yes." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "No, I had a dozen." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped be sorry for having acted so harshly." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. wife's character?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy my special province." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "When did it break out?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in wedding?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he there is a decided draught." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were may have an influence upon European history." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Yes, that is the Crown." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Eyford." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists views." "ARAT," I read. my room." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "What?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It looks newer than the other things?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself take the flies, but not before." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Was the window open?" "It must be recovered." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" this man was intellectual?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the friend's singular character. said he. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you?' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time over here." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from your troubles." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" help us in this matter." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Certainly, madam." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was already answered. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Then let me do so?' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes charge against him will break down." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "But you have hopes?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "None." to a light-house. spark where all is dark to me." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite humiliation." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of national property. I was determined that the law should have its some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. rose-bushes. Heh?' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the date of his supposed suicide." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is possible." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Thank you. Pray proceed." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." father's young wife. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window You want to know what became of those geese?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to over part of the map. "What do you read?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They colonel looking down at me. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates deduce something from that?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg distinguish the words: I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Why, what do you mean?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. gbnewby@pglaf.org not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it hopeless attempt at recovering them." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she business came to an end." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the stones. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it asked with his eyes open. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And is that all?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of forehead. be. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I examine." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two