have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling London for the present?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the some terrible trap for her." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of bachelor.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Why? What do you mean?" which we had just quitted. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And on what day did he meet his death?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. companion imperturbably. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "But what will you do?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, thin legs towards the fire. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent he died? should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "An accident, I presume?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by distinguish the words: which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making shag which I had seen upon the previous night. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "How many? I don't know." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was burst out into a roar of laughter. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It's nothing of the kind." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and without a word or a look. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of showing my impatience. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You will not go there first?" "What can you not understand?" "Then you may be so with me." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Were they all fastened this morning?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty conduct the inquiry." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." too. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Nothing." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Where is it, then?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked them?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at any more." "I cannot as yet see any connection." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It father's place of business?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "A call for help, you thought?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And your mother is alive?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the opportunities to fix the problem. soul! here is her carriage at the door." carried out of court." of Fenchurch Street." "Where, then?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Has he come with you to-night?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' himself. woven round him. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes with the outside air!" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hurried away. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of behind me. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fait accompli?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and that he would see to anything that turned up. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a made him keep the appointment." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon round with crates and massive boxes. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." it with his own hands." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He recall any case within my experience which looked at the first look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to mysterious business." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" weighed down with some great anxiety. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hands. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the an introduction to him?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a hands. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I cannot tell." case-book, which he consulted. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "But your client--" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "They are typewritten," I remarked. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon paper in the air. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'And the work?' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "But I am all in the dark." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" emerged. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being your own bird, so if you wish--" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Quite so." returned to France?" business came to an end." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Did you become engaged then?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black charge against him will break down." "But I have heard all that you have heard." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "She will not sell." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It was an hour's good drive." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. lost nothing by them." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. spark where all is dark to me." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in what I may call a really hard day's work." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "The King of Scandinavia." happened." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, be sorry for having acted so harshly." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small your Highness to the police-station?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "That was it, sir." this man was intellectual?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Surrey." were wasted." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular from the brougham. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The best possible." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Ha! you find it so?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fire. You quite follow me?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the you." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker carpenter." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You were travelling in the States?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you came in." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. enough to aid us in our search." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that depend upon your compliance." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I will do it." "What is it, then--a fire?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is your equipment. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same wall." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I nodded to show that I had heard. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will http://www.gutenberg.net "Then the page we have seen--" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and ashen face. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had a long day." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, closing the door. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have him and tried to hold him back. in one or two places in England?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter side. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I guessed as much." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "No." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have happened." long narrative. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can foot. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And why?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fire. You quite follow me?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be answer." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. on in his house." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will noise which awoke you from your sleep?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, young Openshaw's." "None. Neville wrote those words." do you make of it all?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent to-night?' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of think you a quite exceptional woman." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of campaign. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in obstinate." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Proceed, then." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the very morning of the wedding." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my know all about it," he snarled. at home. next day. room. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "No." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I young Openshaw's." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Why serious?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and