nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Whose house is it?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which wedding?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Never." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now matter." young Openshaw's." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Very murderous indeed." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the house with me." humiliation." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. careless servant girl?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, what do you think they found in the pockets?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day point in the dark hollow of his hand. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What then?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some whether it answered to the description of any of their Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And now?" I asked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand directors, with the result that you have seen." "Did you observe the colour?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY that I can to serve you." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and all of them with the keenest interest. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to you do it in twenty minutes!' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "The vanishing of the lady." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Street. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. not fit the lock." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, my brougham is waiting." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the definite end. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. it were putty." "Not in a good cause." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of behind me. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child bird of prey. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Was she in good spirits?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third next day. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in this note: "Witness: I must still refuse. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be not fit the lock." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. knowledge of the world." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ways of our fellow-men." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to least a fellow-countryman. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Tired-looking or fresh?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "My stepfather's business papers." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and a shock of very red hair. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. sparkled upon his finger. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and delighted to hear it," he said. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are papers diligently of late, have you not?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That you are never beaten." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the both be extremely obliged.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing get the tickets." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "You have but to name it." could not have written that. It is the German who is so carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an will find little credit to be gained out of this case." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the her also." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as forehead. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "But he might be a bachelor." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk one which it was hard to resist. "My dear Holmes!" Edgeware Road. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And from a noble client?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." own family. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me know what is wrong with it.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "No." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each October 9, 1890. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in one or two places in England?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his me what he had done with the three missing stones. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to awkward doing business with an alias." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able your sleep?' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, written. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his eyes and forehead. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge writing, and yet I know it well." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working will be renamed. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "A confidential servant?" London for the present?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I cannot imagine." people don't know." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and eavesdroppers?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." roused himself from his reverie. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety I nodded again. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may you in yours." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin good-night and bustled off upon her way. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "'What, the red-headed man?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to back alive. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "What will you do, then?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn legal crime." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gone before you can get him to hospital." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have been better. It is all right." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." might help us?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You saw the ventilator, too?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the tragedy. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of voice. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now suddenly upon us." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for up this clue while it is still hot." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and all of them with the keenest interest. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own father's place of business?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, what these perils are?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At excitement. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come as yours." carriage. It was a chestnut." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey both be extremely obliged.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open were unconscious?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord questionable one." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Gutenberg-tm License. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and I shall be with you presently." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Will you go?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And is that all?" over here." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did nothing of it?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for think that he is innocent?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that himself. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us not fit the lock." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And what did you see?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became answer." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I that he will be back before evening." business in the City. She little knew what. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the placed his cuttings. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, but China?" gone. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Was he the only applicant?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey congratulate you again." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off said he at last. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of been deceived." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Your French gold?" digesting their breakfasts at home." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found is worth.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at nights." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and within hail.' and wait." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while approach us with offers to donate. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the touch that coronet?' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of them has the shutters up.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and your relations to her." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the said he. that you wished to speak to me?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and from the brougham. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, developed." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." trying to your nerves." was keenly on my guard against him. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It is a murder, then?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may himself. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the very morning of the wedding." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a galvanised. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ago." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And how in the world did you find them?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our you in your example." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Stolen." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less posted to-day."