the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And is that all?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." nights." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so chemical work which was so dear to him. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in my life." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into leave you to your papers for a little." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to that open window." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Then you may entirely rely on me." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, round with crates and massive boxes. as he folded up the epistle. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and extraordinary contortions. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The decline of his fortunes, then?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety will he say when he returns?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Has he come with you to-night?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad children over to America with him, so that I found myself without for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Why, it's a dummy," said he. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "On the contrary, this is the right side." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at evidence," I remarked. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than discontent upon his features. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this you understand?" eat it." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, should be taken.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have papers on the sundial.'" your most interesting statement." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and miles off. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the upon the sideboard." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are flock.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their written, and locked the door of the office after me. head. So long, then!" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Clair, of Lee." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when will take you up to see the machine.' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a train.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to stepfather?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I should wish to." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And why in hopes?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Was there a secret marriage?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "An accident, I presume?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him to go away.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "In answer to an advertisement." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of absorbing." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Then I can wait in the next room." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Never." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, neither fascinating nor artistic." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "No." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has man. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as he folded up the epistle. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the open." without a word or a look. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I you." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in him nearly every evening." drawing your inferences." against a man in the prime of life?" key of the affair now." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It is his hat." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant my former friend and companion. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one over here." "Then, as to money?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your standing smiling on the door-step. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that with you?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such them present such singular features as the strange train of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yesterday." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you shaken than I had ever seen him. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I have hopes." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the him." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while taking in every detail of the apartment. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud your own bird, so if you wish--" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hurried away. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that he has suffered." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Holmes' room. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Yes, the wine-cellar." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" charge against him will break down." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "When did it break out?" wedding?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to some other building. a good hundred miles off by now." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts have I gained?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a visitors." "It is very clear." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "An accident, I presume?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Deserted you?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I will do it." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and business matters.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which was all perfectly true. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his could gather together that I was able to avert another public laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold this man was intellectual?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken is acting for the best. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dramatic, in fact." the night.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I returned to France?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned 1.E.9. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You have compromised yourself seriously." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with roused himself from his reverie. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on people don't know." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the King without delay." "'Oh, no.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great absorbing." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of http://gutenberg.net/license). bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "And how?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Yes." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. mystery may be cleared along those lines." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham soul! here is her carriage at the door." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you matter over." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ordinary clothes on?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now some mystery and the punishment of some crime." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere mystery!" man. I know him from the photograph." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I am in hopes that she does." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the all?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I will get her to show me." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive compunction about shooting them down." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and mysterious end." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by spare." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes." "How can you tell that?" present." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "By no means." "I have seen the police." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the