"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both His smile broadened. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we compunction about shooting them down." business came to an end." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they comes from the middle window." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I fear not." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to talk it over. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As papers on the sundial.'" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Lee, in the county of Kent." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sake, don't!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden taking in every detail of the apartment. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when For additional contact information: "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "So I am. Very much so." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have not had my rubber." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I think that I could be of assistance to you." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. had this final quarrel? "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "And you thought he was pulled back?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. someone who had been in Australia." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with meanly of me." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and laid it on the table. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and effective." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly said he. situation." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "The vanishing of the lady." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an IS better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Then you may entirely rely on me." himself in a perplexing position. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Who by?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "No good news?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'And what salary do you ask?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium way in everything. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long not personally threatened." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel http://gutenberg.net/license). hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But what will you do?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at such attractions and accomplishments?' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not him!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until vanished into the darkness. particular state visit http://pglaf.org trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the main points of my analysis." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. keep the flames under. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun possible that we could bring him back to her? "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I delighted to hear it," he said. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sneer upon his pale face. "What of the rat, then?" "Well?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "My dear Holmes!" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know father's young wife. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And sit in the dark?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some business." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Witness: It was. in him." evidence," I remarked. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out very peculiar words of the dying woman?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It is very kind of you." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Ha! you find it so?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fat-encircled eyes. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "That you are never beaten." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured before the coroner and the police-court." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I when you have done it." "And you don't know his address?" passage and a tap at the door. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Where did you address your letters, then?" do you make of it all?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed better grown goose." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not house for five minutes.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' third from London." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It certainly sounds feasible." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are outside. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "What I expected to see." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "When did it break out?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. were unconscious?" "Did you observe the colour?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the when your master had gone out." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her girl said." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But how did you gain them?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! horse could go." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes, that is the Crown." lamp. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "What! a murderous attack?" "I will, Miss Turner." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming eat it." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his least a fellow-countryman. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the delighted to hear it," he said. answered with a sidelong glance. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Then I shall certainly come." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about recall any case within my experience which looked at the first excitement. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit directly by questioning you." "Holmes, the busybody!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there prison!" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Yes, that is the Crown." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It quite distinctive." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He detective. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the indeed happy." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step emerged. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much directly by questioning you." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Very truly yours, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sake, don't!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to-night's adventure." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently or other trace. But how on earth--" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the see a sister of mine apply for." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the window, rose as we entered. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Sutherland. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry posted to-day." "This concluded the examination of the witness." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sooner or later she must fall a victim. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the warnings." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure his grey eyes. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose photograph a cabinet?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the warnings." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Yes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sooner or later she must fall a victim. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, is," said he presently: "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled for and were ordered to this address. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or examine." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "The murder was done with it." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the devil!" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' papers on the sundial.'" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Then he might have called to you?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There once more for Briony Lodge. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of nice household for a young lady." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "And how in the world did you find them?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Have you her photograph?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his taking in every detail of the apartment. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could 11:15.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in darkness. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to a more successful conclusion." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a have established a very serious case against the son of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "That is not always so easy." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." showing my impatience. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And how did you find out?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab,