I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And why in hopes?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Street. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. States. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not newspaper selections." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, whole matter to your consideration." you in your example." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull him and tried to hold him back. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall out." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave conceal it?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I have hopes." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark were unconscious?" you." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is him!" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that there was nothing in it, after all." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from congenial hunt. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you undoubtedly my uncle's." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "That you are never beaten." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Eyford at 11:15.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And that is--" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the window, rose as we entered. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Why serious?" "'Certainly not. But why?' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And you thought he was pulled back?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but daring than any effort of the imagination." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Where does the thing come from?' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shaken than I had ever seen him. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we there is a decided draught." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "His face fell immediately. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these what I may call a really hard day's work." union?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for occurred." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a overpowering excitement and concern. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. footfalls from the street. "What office?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to some other building. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an affection." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those stammered. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a depend upon your compliance." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'I am sure that I do not know.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Why that?' I asks. "I will, Miss Turner." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against true." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband disturbance in my wife." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "And how?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his remarked. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Farm upon the left." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of a light. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Sholtos." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No bad?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Do you go out much in society?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then you may entirely rely on me." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where without success. At last the little money which I had saved began It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in there when the Rucastles went away." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "My own seal." eavesdroppers?' it means?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the your bag." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that morning." bedroom door." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It's nothing of the kind." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "In what way?" asked Holmes. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I nodded to show that I had heard. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here crowd. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he detained." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "You were travelling in the States?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Holmes. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the business?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, least a fellow-countryman. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her call you and give you the chance." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came quickly through a disagreeable task. spark where all is dark to me." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "No legal papers or certificates?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had shoulder; "he's all right." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would locked. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, knowledge of the world." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in his hands." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday secret." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." happened." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" are windows in it, of course?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the your own bird, so if you wish--" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Upon what point?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold lids now and glanced across at his visitor. despaired of." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'What do you call purely nominal?' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her characteristics, but those are the more obvious." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not me, and I could not think that his explanation of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "From his hat?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case house for five minutes.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Heh?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Project Gutenberg-tm works. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on even so self-evident a thing as that." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Where could I find him?' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the tightly behind him. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "On your arm?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Precisely." fasten all the windows?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "That is unusual in a young girl." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the other, as fresh and trim as possible. bird of prey. room. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a room had already been engaged for us. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It is very kind of you." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of some water from a caraffe. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' that the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Absolutely none." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to footfalls from the street. possible that we could bring him back to her? will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the station." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the date of his supposed suicide." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he your sleep?' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'I am sure if I had known--' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with present." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My photograph." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No good news?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Certainly,' I answered. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "But how did you gain them?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that call the police, let the police find what they can.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Come in!" said Holmes. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes would apply.' "The King of Scandinavia." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All James Windibank. Voilà tout!" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight dead, shall be safe with us." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to tackle the facts." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Entirely." "One of the highest in England." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a new acquaintance to Baker Street. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and wait." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. roused himself from his reverie.