have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But we can't all be." indeed which he could not unravel. go from here to the Strand." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to thin legs towards the fire. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently stalked out of the room. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is no ordinary one." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the take the flies, but not before." light and attacked it." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual there!' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their himself in a perplexing position. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Why? What do you mean?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Cross for the Continent." enough to aid us in our search." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to without a word or a look. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "And Irene Adler?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which child?' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set bird of prey. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Did you observe the colour?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Here?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they once more for Briony Lodge. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Why? What do you mean?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Sutherland. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of campaign. shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of During two years I have had three consultations and one small the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her pictures, libraries, or plate. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got little adventures." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." these bleak autumnal evenings." annoyance, but no jest. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never said he. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to will take you up to see the machine.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Holmes' room. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I she to prove their authenticity?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a noting anything else of interest. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin is acting for the best. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Where, indeed?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." once more for Briony Lodge. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "And the cigar-holder?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But she could not love him." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "The best possible." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those village inn over there?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something became a certainty. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I say that I have solved it." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You have a clue?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "In answer to an advertisement." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I will try. What is it?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should right! Sit down and let us talk it over." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, village inn over there?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get behind me. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It was." "This photograph!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "And when will you call?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My than was visible to me." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of chemical work which was so dear to him. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this rose-bushes. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Your sister is dead, then?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a later, upon the night of May 2nd." Edgeware Road. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ten will be early enough." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he better grown goose." think that any burglar could have done. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce congenial hunt. business matters.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you developed." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that night.' said he. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this affection." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter telegram would bring me down to your help." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "In answer to an advertisement." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I do." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Breckinridge is his name." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this some city in a dream. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She mystery." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "But how will you look?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced asked. his forehead." call it cruel." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to-night." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Yes.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without you in yours." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes." "At what time?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly foresight and the moral retrogression?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to own family. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I will not look." "When did it break out?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But you have hopes?" danger is over." charged with?" hard-headed British jury." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And why?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys digesting their breakfasts at home." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "What steps will you take?" I asked. maid will bring up your coffee." "And why?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in started for the Temple to see my husband. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It is a murder, then?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And why?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. heavy and sharp instrument." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must them?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative place of silver." despaired of." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I certainly do as you advise." formed some opinion?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' young Openshaw's." absorbing." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "What can you not understand?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I experiences." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The King of Scandinavia." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "When did it break out?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, case before our client came into the room." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I cannot think." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered room?" enough to aid us in our search." the Assizes." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wedding?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the existence." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I cannot imagine." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and character. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open washing it down with a long draught of water. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after My friend smiled. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "But his lameness?" "Well?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was a lad." "Yes, certainly." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, business at Coburg Square is serious." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other you, my dear young lady?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and young Openshaw's." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw papers must be those that are destroyed.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Did your wife hear all this?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Was the window open?" "Not in the least." them present such singular features as the strange train of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the confronted him. sound at heart." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to some other building. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in friends, not even his own brother. "But I am all in the dark." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was over with notes and figures. fear." "BALLARAT." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Never.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection was shining brightly. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what helping a boy to put up the shutters. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "That is easily got." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she burst out into a roar of laughter. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I should be immensely obliged to you." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower