with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was an introduction to him?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all at once, for I have only half an hour." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I obstinate." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "By no means." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened carriage. It was a chestnut." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said existence." Count Von Kramm." it with his own hands." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of at a side door. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with you alone." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name chemical work which was so dear to him. amused." "None." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "This photograph!" wanted for ourselves." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "By all means." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive The note was undated, and without either signature or address. room?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hour?' call it cruel." in. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. any." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client himself to hunt down. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Very murderous indeed." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no security.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem lost nothing by them." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "He disappeared so suddenly." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Whose house is it?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND mysterious end." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "He is still with you, I presume?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I am still in the dark." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Then let me do so?' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Nothing." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "There are none." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life papers on the sundial.'" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." some city in a dream. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "My last client of the sort was a king." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the coroner come to?" chambers. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally that?' you want, then?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of said Mr. Holder. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I shall communicate with you." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in what is your own theory as to what took place?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the leave you to your papers for a little." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the secret." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'No, I know no one in these parts.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Street. appeared upon the scene." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the iron safe, which he closed upon it. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I leave." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "He is still with you, I presume?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was success. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we searched, without anything being found which could incriminate desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should is acting for the best. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "What then?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "By no means." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' down. murdered man." do you make of it all?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your she slowly sank and died without having recovered her any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you came in." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "About a month then." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name you in your example." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to have been novel and of interest." matter." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against business matters.' stammered. the coronet at all injured?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Always." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and dear old homesteads?" coroner's jury." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I don't believe it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his knees, staring into the fire. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Where, then, is my wife?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire with some details as to your case." note?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Certainly." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. approach us with offers to donate. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous than was visible to me." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future not come at once?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little points to suicide?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Did your wife hear all this?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned despair." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I am to be neutral?" "9th. McCauley cleared. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred child?' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and upon the sideboard." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since me. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in companion quietly. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a long narrative. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to-night's adventure." gigantic client. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know past. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the coroner come to?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. just ask you whether you had heard it.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the one as in the other." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger events, Mr. Windibank!" "So it appears." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No. What a strange idea!" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers matter." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court himself. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will better grown goose." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his occurred." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What!" he roared. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to a light-house. respectable self." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'And what salary do you ask?' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It came here." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and it need not interfere very much with one's other the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and was shining brightly. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton late!' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are felt the room to be a little close.' My friend smiled. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I am not easy in my mind about them." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then your own bird, so if you wish--" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Did you become engaged then?" photograph a cabinet?" waste of energy." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fishes. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room public press." "You have carte blanche." such person." "My Mary? Impossible!" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in this way: "Always." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." What do you deduce from it?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And I say east," said my patient. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in the hope of finding them." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Not I." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Absolutely none." his huge brown hands. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'And the work?' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those forehead. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" for and were ordered to this address. "I have hopes." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "The King of Scandinavia." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather your only hope of safety." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps grasp, he hurried from the room. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." have I gained?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Why serious?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself which was all perfectly true. "Never." there." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. cause to be." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull question," said Holmes, smiling. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the matter?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, man. I know him from the photograph."