sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. for its centre. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked of." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be papers." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of DAMAGE. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand union?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and upon the shelf for the interim." side. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then I can wait in the next room." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, throat." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Did he not advertise?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he been with you?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "ARAT," I read. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it business in the City. She little knew what. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his huge brown hands. "Well." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which here." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after subject to the trademark license, especially commercial his grey eyes. entirely devoid of interest." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I guessed as much." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And what did you learn from him?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I cannot say that I have." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after door?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Certainly not. But why?' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and know what is wrong with it.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY ago." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer entirely lost his self-respect." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, row." "At half-wages, in fact." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your colour had been driven from his face. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or that threaten you." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I know where it is." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, my brougham is waiting." "Yes, sir." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of pound a week." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will felt?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of stood on the top of it. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting that he has suffered." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, situation." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." been shamefully used." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again For additional contact information: "That's no good." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "No, distinctly professional." 1.F. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the hereditary King of Bohemia." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of the way of danger. stood on the top of it. your bag." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would dead, shall be safe with us." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." take the flies, but not before." believe that I should never have any practice at all. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my carried out of court." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." desk. stalked out of the room. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of the one which your family is now devouring." and a shock of very red hair. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the coroner come to?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found me what he had done with the three missing stones. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it important." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "How often?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where bearing upon the case." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish out." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Nothing?" "Certainly, madam." "Won't it ring?" "Certainly." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's fire. You quite follow me?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and sofa. This way, please!" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them appointment with me for six o'clock?" 1.E.9. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "That's no good." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. already referred to. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to have that photograph." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me mystery!" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Did he not advertise?" reach." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I am sure." Clair, of Lee." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "She showed me, as I told you she would." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "There is the writing." "But his lameness?" "It must be recovered." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if populous neighbourhood." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It looks newer than the other things?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his went to the Alpha were town bred." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and humiliation." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers nice household for a young lady." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that he has suffered." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I am about to be married." "'Certainly,' I answered. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come occupations.' "Nothing." to me. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Quite sure, dad.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Yes, it would be as well." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and files of the old papers, following the future career of every battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "That is it on the dressing-table." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal is a common subject for conversation. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you understand?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to careless servant girl?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was wife's character?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague unclasping of his long thin hands. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite hour." fluttered off among the others. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "On Monday." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if business?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a keep the flames under. Street. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the know that the truth is known." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, results." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "How did you trace it, then?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" have an American origin." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two it." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And your mother is alive?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out before, for it was considerably after midnight. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual conceal it?" tear off another piece?' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings conduct the inquiry."