Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn own family. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ventilator." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to kindly on the shoulder. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ceremony." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "But his lameness?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as goes." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming least a most suspicious remark." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the extraordinary contortions. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid touch that coronet?' a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in breakfast?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a despaired of." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Mary, has deserted me." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes." "Where did he live, then?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, call it cruel." must be when I saw the door open.' "Yes." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then unkempt, staring out at me. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, again before evening." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "An enemy?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would from the brougham. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged shall use the carriage to-night." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting individual and becomes the badge of a society." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Yes, there are nearly always some there." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "At the wedding breakfast." national property. I was determined that the law should have its gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he been." "'And what salary do you ask?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Then how many are there?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my really the only notable feature about the thing." But Holmes shook his head gravely. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." ran thus: much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he detective. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I constraint." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in his hands." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" British peeress.'" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It foot. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of comes from the middle window." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement observed. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My presented more singular features than that which was associated What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "None." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently is so. I know all about McCarthy." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but occurred." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "None. Neville wrote those words." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Absolutely?" my friend's incisive reasoning. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no third from London." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. interest. They are important, you understand, without being compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I village inn over there?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I will, Miss Turner." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." you give your casting vote to?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, will be renamed. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. indiscretion." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said awaited us upon the table. "No more words. Get out!" certainly do as you advise." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hurried away. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Have you her photograph?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his some terrible trap for her." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Nothing." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I cannot think." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by unclasping of his long thin hands. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet companion. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "How did you trace it, then?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a License. You must require such a user to return or "Nothing?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to talk it over. posted to-day." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am in hopes that she does." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a both be extremely obliged.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning showing my impatience. "A greater distance to travel." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of second." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a his wife has ceased to love him." "Then, as to money?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'Tell me all about it,' said I. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Holmes." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning thin legs towards the fire. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "None." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I am about to be married." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stammered. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. out of this horrible affair." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a call for it in person on Monday morning.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare me." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" child?' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down was a perfect sample of the class. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "They are typewritten," I remarked. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Can I be of assistance?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It is very kind of you." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my spare." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'In my own bureau.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that I can to serve you." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to tell." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in door?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. people in all walks of life. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. at home. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. 1.E.9. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get colonel looking down at me. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Breckinridge is his name." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Was he the only applicant?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he died? "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. evidence," I remarked. said I. from the brougham. fluttered off among the others. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness you found me to-night--and running through the front room she strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since placed his cuttings. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that you can jump it.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at The King stared at him in amazement. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to business in the City. She little knew what. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could your sleep?' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wedding?" had formerly been in part my own. prison!" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I held the little printed slip to the light. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What, then, did Peterson do?" the best of training." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another away to you." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" at home. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of all-comprehensive glances. certainly not very gracious." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake it means?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "But I am all in the dark." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the very morning of the wedding." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I should wish to." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said less than 26s. 4d. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by me what he had done with the three missing stones. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Ha! you find it so?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "What, then, did Peterson do?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes." "Do you go out much in society?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much retorted upon me, and I on you." hereditary King of Bohemia." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I what is your own theory as to what took place?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet