"Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know directors, with the result that you have seen." depend upon my doing so.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' awkward doing business with an alias." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And what then?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'I have already given you my word.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the hands. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Yes, sir.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "A greater distance to travel." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I should like to see him very much." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'What do you call purely nominal?' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that crowd. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country should be so warm over such a trifle." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the King without delay." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "And you don't know his address?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" papers." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Stolen." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and which it had come upon my father." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said situation." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "By no means." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "ARAT," I read. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "No." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the matter?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the south-west, I see." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be business came to an end." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that our word." ways of our fellow-men." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I papers." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Stoke Moran?" said he. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." any more." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Yes." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Arthur Conan Doyle of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It surprised me." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'You cannot say what it was?' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. them present such singular features as the strange train of and the colonel ushered me in. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for business came to an end." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be is four-and-twenty." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of mysterious end." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your with you?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the very morning of my second wedding." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, views." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking secret." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes, I have one waiting." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "At half-wages, in fact." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Entirely." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be might have a private word with us. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my maid will bring up your coffee." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by criminal. We have already had experience of such." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the at my remark. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my drawing your inferences." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I cannot tell." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The Cedars?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I leave." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, imbecility!" he cried. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my are windows in it, of course?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey daring than any effort of the imagination." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the best of training." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and the colonel ushered me in. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in one or two places in England?' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the asked with his eyes open. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more children over to America with him, so that I found myself without only touch the interest." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather introspective fashion. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Leadenhall Street--and--" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and them, and came down just as you departed. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said he at last. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and papers on the sundial.'" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was already answered. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian if she died from some sudden fright." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the married her." companion quietly. "My stepfather's business papers." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front security.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What steps will you take?" I asked. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to shoulder. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little morning." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and throat." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I see many objections to any such theory." window when the police appeared." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue was a lad." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "That is unusual in a young girl." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to a more successful conclusion." "'What do you call purely nominal?' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was over with notes and figures. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Absolutely none." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled system of imprisonment?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "At what time?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "But she will refuse." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But she could not love him." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and cigars in the box." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we more terrible than the truth. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And now?" I asked. "How can you tell that?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her enough to aid us in our search." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no problems help me to do so." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small again before evening." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now London for the present?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured ceremony." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in my life." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own people in all walks of life. "Breckinridge is his name." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Surrey." there was no need for father to know." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a signal between you and your father? across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I waste of energy." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I instincts rose up against that laugh. you." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a this poor creature." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." my friend's incisive reasoning. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And leave your case unfinished?" here and I will read it to you: own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Did he not advertise?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Yes, it was gone.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" lamp. upon the white wrist. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have bird of prey. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then relief. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very me where it went to?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the photograph?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And is that all?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for criminal. We have already had experience of such." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to you in your example." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I nodded to show that I had heard. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Certainly." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let here and I will read it to you: "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story certainly not very gracious." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "On Monday." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness wedding?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to