"On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot face and glided from the room. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" companion. salesman. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I should wish to." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to surprise her." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few certainly not very gracious." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the running down." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing it." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Your presence might be invaluable." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, not as remarkable as your advertisement." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our are, and they are waiting for us." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, chance at all." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the feature." purpose of examination. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes. He waved his hands." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It surprised me." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It is a murder, then?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would other means.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and will take you up to see the machine.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Thank you. Pray proceed." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. good for you to do.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Where, then, is my wife?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'About the same.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which putting in the horse. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." ourselves in the office." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the outside. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was what I may call a really hard day's work." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And you can do nothing until then?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Sholtos." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Here?" remarked. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding head. So long, then!" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an from you?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will from the brougham. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous likely to be some crony of the landlady's." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "He slept on the premises." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. unprofitable." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Not I." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Not I." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily remarked. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is cigar and let me expound." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to you." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Oh, yes, easily." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And that is--" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, he did." his wife has ceased to love him." kindly on the shoulder. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had yet." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: companion. "What can it mean?" I gasped. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' 1.E.9. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "There is the writing." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would tell me that you intended to go into harness." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could delighted to hear it," he said. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was keenly on my guard against him. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My observed. It may be so in this case, also." bedroom door." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to miss it." amused." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so gone before you can get him to hospital." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Yes, there are nearly always some there." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And now?" He raised his hand. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Yes." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Not social, then?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work minor matters until to-morrow." article?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Street. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No, distinctly professional." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." my room." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not personally threatened." as the one I chose?' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "That was it, sir." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there them, and came down just as you departed. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I think it very unlikely." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little strength in the others." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "How did he come?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before seen the man in the road." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be during the last few years, and there are many noble families to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and papers." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fashion which was peculiar to him. digesting their breakfasts at home." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, affair. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "And I to find an enemy." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your was keenly on my guard against him. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead really the only notable feature about the thing." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'And the work?' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which is four-and-twenty." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never 11:15.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the King without delay." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this some water from a caraffe. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which should have the effect of calling the attention of the an introduction to him?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "He slept on the premises." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable manager. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is possible." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the woman." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes disturbance in my wife." the very morning of the wedding." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Holmes' face clouded over. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Surrey." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the overpowering excitement and concern. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." there." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the driver. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hair?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found man. the running down." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have feature." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Very good.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable redistribution. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, even of instruction." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "And how did you find out?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "That is easily got." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes, sir." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "My dear Holmes!" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Eyford at 11:15.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Yes.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He at a side door. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended me. You must get home instantly and act." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he yet." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no sneer upon his pale face. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in one or two places in England?' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and a shock of very red hair. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite tied." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No, I had a dozen." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss be. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes client, rising. "Pray do so." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy emerged. heavily into it. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Come in!" said Holmes. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man did not hear it also.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped