conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the bill, which interests me deeply." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'As governess?' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San at my remark. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "The Coroner: What do you mean? anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Street. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite beg that you will break it off." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the child." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away prisoner's face. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "It is no ordinary one." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father promised to bring home. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned behind me. It may be so in this case, also." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me where we are going." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet back alive. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "What can it mean?" I gasped. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the south-west, I see." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt thirty. awaited us upon the table. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not your bag." less than 26s. 4d. in. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as joking. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he so far?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Entirely." hard-headed British jury." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes during which he might have communicated with his friend the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I thirty. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It until night should bring an explanation. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, my former friend and companion. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a lectures into a series of tales." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to retorted upon me, and I on you." success. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his both be extremely obliged.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed other means.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in dates and names. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I will do it." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "How on earth--" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "None." more terrible than the truth. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Surrey." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line started for the Temple to see my husband. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as him to go away.' matter." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all thin legs towards the fire. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read notes," he said. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire his huge brown hands. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." his huge brown hands. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Certainly." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Of what day?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I through." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, confronted him. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the acquaintance?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'In my own bureau.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to bird of prey. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Certainly,' I answered. results." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is he. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Look there!" said he. cigars in the box." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a some water from a caraffe. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as noiselessly as she had come. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Yes, that is the Crown." "Of what day?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, morning." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his villagers almost as much as their master. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at man. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who stalked out of the room. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at for its centre. "What can you not understand?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." chambers. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before article?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Well, but China?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable you came in." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs secret." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with you?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door room?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'There is a drive, then?' His smile broadened. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Never,' said I. woman." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we deduce something from that?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "No." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side detective. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Certainly not.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his presented more singular features than that which was associated "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and see me here to avoid scandal." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can taking in every detail of the apartment. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. knowledge of the world." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being charged with?" your Highness to the police-station?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I goes." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "And leave your case unfinished?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not shall use the carriage to-night." in my life." was keenly on my guard against him. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & never came back." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you of Fenchurch Street." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "And when will you call?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." meant." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an standing smiling on the door-step. "Do you go out much in society?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which gone before you can get him to hospital." I am not easy in my mind about them." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away disappearance of the bride.'" said I. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fled together." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," take the flies, but not before." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he visitors." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, tightly behind him. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "That sounds a little paradoxical." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had fait accompli?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more standing smiling on the door-step. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor discoloured patches by smearing them with ink.