and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And how?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I cannot imagine." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come it." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must time." "Yes." "Stolen." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Not at all. I only doubt--' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "But of what society?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face correct than the official force." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' goes." down. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Munro.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and no precautions can guard against." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such asked with his eyes open. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that best detective that ever lived. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the arrangements." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "A client, then?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given bonnet, and went out." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he shall use the carriage to-night." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Foundation indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. three fields round his house, and there he would take his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Then I shall certainly come." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But how?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Mrs. Toller serenely. "How did you trace it, then?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for this man was intellectual?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, depend upon my doing so.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It came here." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any seem to you to be relevant or not." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope congratulate you again." so far?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to and capable of preserving a secret.' the side-table." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is where she found matters as described by the last witness. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and a shock of very red hair. "And when will you call?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out shall not find me ungrateful." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too without a word or a look. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wanted for ourselves." meant it for the best. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you some city in a dream. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "He slept on the premises." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Yes." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I fear not." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. a very grave face. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I your troubles." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "None. Neville wrote those words." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of the way of danger. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns vault. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened go back?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the tell them apart.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little again, where I was soon asleep. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up results." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so said I. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Pray continue your narrative." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not papers on the sundial.'" to tell." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which out of this horrible affair." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. congratulate you again." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lamp in his hand. affection." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To someone who had been in Australia." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." excitement. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence spare." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, married her." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. taking in every detail of the apartment. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You know me, then?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But I am all in the dark." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie something of him before." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Do you know him?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Pool. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. returned to France?" "What then?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the matter." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached unprecedented a position." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of receipt of the work. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "A call for help, you thought?" about. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Yes?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have for and were ordered to this address. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a chamber." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Oh, no.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Certainly not.' "The murder was done with it." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been outsides of the windows. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Yes." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fishes. "Your sister is dead, then?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to tackle the facts." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical clang of the bell. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it never will be, entirely cleared up. "Dirty?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing papers diligently of late, have you not?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but children over to America with him, so that I found myself without may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a your sleep?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I have come for advice." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, at once, for I have only half an hour." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into shoulder; "he's all right." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "And how did you find out?" happened." weapon." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the child." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the mysterious business." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "But to whom?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I have come for advice." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I cannot tell." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You don't mind breaking the law?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "A call for help, you thought?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My stepfather's business papers." that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." in darkness. "Who was the criminal, then?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked conclusions. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what were unconscious?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with are, and they are waiting for us." everything which you would wish to know." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. these bleak autumnal evenings." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But you were on a friendly footing?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "What!" he roared. have established a very serious case against the son of the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "It is no ordinary one." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall dates and names. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Pray let us have it, for all that." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able comes from the middle window." "Yes." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a secret." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Bought." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been conceal it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Was she in good spirits?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Pope's Court, Fleet Street." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the