visitors." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "None." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Yes.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "But what harm can there be in that?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." man. I know him from the photograph." question. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that IS pound a week." something of him before." the loss of it. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Yes." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, some hundreds of times." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Never." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I was used.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in shoulder. meanly of me." "From his hat?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you give your casting vote to?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I answered that I had not. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived chance." "My stepfather's business papers." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Where to?' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "So I have heard." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Very good.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The best possible." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they our word." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Of Friday, June 19th." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It came here." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I society." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Of what day?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices remarked. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My is a common subject for conversation. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when burst out into a roar of laughter. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds voice, changing her seat as requested. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which we had just quitted. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two your equipment. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me infinite languor in his face. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur man. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at go--none." "Your French gold?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Pray be precise as to details," said he. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I will get her to show me." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Which dealer's?' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "One?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or mystery!" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to colonel looking down at me. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. been able to understand it, in a very few words. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with row." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are on in his house." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, wedding?" do.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit attention." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first For additional contact information: which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and upon the shelf for the interim." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have this Miss Turner." "'Never,' said I. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay generous with you in money matters.' "I have my revolver," said I. begun to whiten, even as mine has." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. posted to-day." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I am all attention, madam." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and conduct the inquiry." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It is very kind of you." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come thin legs towards the fire. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited three of the beryls in it, was missing. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he death." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "How long did she speak to this Alice?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his fortune, and I went back to pa. matter over." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it have got?" few hundred pounds.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Very much so." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of with some details as to your case." photograph?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I have hopes." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "How many? I don't know." if I call to-morrow?" village inn over there?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Eh? What was that?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but may have an influence upon European history." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of you." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, hard-headed British jury." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Count Von Kramm." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from again before evening." invisible to me," I remarked. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you came in." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some of his shoulders. "It was." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Was she in good spirits?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Yes, from Horsham." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress October 9, 1890. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned questionable one." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "A greater distance to travel." "They are typewritten," I remarked. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The congenial hunt. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to affect your life." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately plantation.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," chance." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." villagers almost as much as their master. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "But his lameness?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 'please.'" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we door?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Your presence might be invaluable." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who tear off another piece?' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local chance." place of silver." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cigar and let me expound." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and laid it on the table. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of campaign. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was appointment with me for six o'clock?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution instincts rose up against that laugh. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long never came back." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "He said that you could solve anything." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which new duties?' Street. emerged. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "We were both in the photograph." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from disturbance in my wife." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "The Coroner: What do you mean? caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Certainly." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "We must have a cab." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office until night should bring an explanation. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country prove to be little relation between the different incidents of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back companion. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Chief Executive and Director could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that was a perfect sample of the class. of campaign. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Very good.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. behind me. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Only as much as we can deduce." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it." "He might." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his