"I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The landlord of the Alpha." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned ourselves in the office." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hour." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And your father? Did you tell him?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the date of his supposed suicide." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to that open window." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of will be renamed. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to change my dress. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, front of me. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Perfectly so." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "And the cigar-holder?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'What are you doing there?' he asked. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." formed some opinion?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Witness: I must still refuse. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I am following you closely," I answered. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Absolutely?" "Imitated." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Breckinridge is his name." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you girl said." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The eavesdroppers?' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Very much so." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. skylight. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man shag which I had seen upon the previous night. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He asked. "But what is it you wish?" discontent upon his features. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in envelope. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I nodded to show that I had heard. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The landlord of the Alpha." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I said I. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ways of our fellow-men." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce papers on the sundial.'" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "He is dead," cried several voices. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Could he throw no light?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "He said that you could solve anything." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "And your father? Did you tell him?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his them?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "One of his hands." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But not more so than I to find you." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and DISSOLVED. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point His name is Francis Prosper." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of British peeress.'" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, your equipment. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "That also I could fathom." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in forecastle of an emigrant ship. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am vault. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see second." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Yes, it would be as well." forecastle of an emigrant ship. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It surprised me." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What can you not understand?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over knowledge of the world." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "She will not sell." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be heavy and sharp instrument." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Where did you address your letters, then?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "And what then?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white it. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "What steps will you take?" I asked. clang of the bell. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or bears upon the case?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "So it appears." stalked out of the room. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the child." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "But his lameness?" "What do you mean?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Was your sister dressed?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wife's character?" becomes even more simple." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater just ask you whether you had heard it.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was followed. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are tail." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss than was visible to me." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we an introduction to him?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the least a fellow-countryman. as the one I chose?' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Of what?" wall." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I know where it is." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Doctor, of the paper and the date." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle like that before?" the south-west, I see." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I know where it is." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Mary, has deserted me." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any IS was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But the mystery?" passage and a tap at the door. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the at my remark. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up entirely devoid of interest." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a believe that I should never have any practice at all. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. wanted for ourselves." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious charge against him will break down." heavy and sharp instrument." his huge brown hands. the matter." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And for present expenses?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler our word." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a have an American origin." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I have come for advice." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her not within a twentieth part of the market price." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You have a clue?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "What do you mean?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods things are very often connected not with the larger but with the round with crates and massive boxes. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'What, the red-headed man?' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he mystery!" standing smiling on the door-step. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to clang of the bell. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Pool. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Stolen." outside. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven written, and locked the door of the office after me. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dates and names. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in highly," said Holmes. ventilator." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Yes." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Not him." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously shoulder; "he's all right." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and what I may call a really hard day's work." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here clanging. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two made him keep the appointment." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Where could I find him?' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No." how narrow had been my escape. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating you in yours." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is considering the formidable letters which were received by himself very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be *** START: FULL LICENSE *** some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the King without delay." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "About a month then." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs visitors." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he spare." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told address. digesting their breakfasts at home." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "A client, then?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "That is it on the dressing-table." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw them, and came down just as you departed. the dangers which encompass me." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of cup of tea. "At the wedding breakfast." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' next day. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with works. See paragraph 1.E below. shall not find me ungrateful." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'No, I know no one in these parts.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Two days later this same performance was gone through under than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as you."