villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Is purely nominal.' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes, sir." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'And the work?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his forehead." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "None. Neville wrote those words." stood on the top of it. promised to bring home. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, humiliation." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal recall any case within my experience which looked at the first enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent light and attacked it." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "That's no good." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "By train from Waterloo." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the papers must be those that are destroyed.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which you want, then?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother help us in this matter." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "A call for help, you thought?" started for the Temple to see my husband. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "But you can know nothing of this?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the London for the present?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped newspaper selections." "When did she vanish, then?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. you give your casting vote to?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight way in." "What office?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the arrested. You then--" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the Red-headed League." way: such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, annoyance, but no jest. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." client, rising. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it would apply.' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You know me, then?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'A dozen yards or so.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have an American origin." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told constraint." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a not fit the lock." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the were unconscious?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Dirty?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sound at heart." that I may have something better before very many minutes are suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "This photograph!" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Where, then, is my wife?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the dead of the night?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at society." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get His name is Francis Prosper." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert bedroom door." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Has he come with you to-night?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. my former friend and companion. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I shall most certainly do so." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Absolutely?" "My photograph." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was recover the gem." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, these bleak autumnal evenings." strode off upon his way. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. annoyance, but no jest. "Eh? What was that?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America least a fellow-countryman. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Where, then?" never to learn it at all." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Entirely.' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small once more on the important position which you have been fortunate monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved 1.E.9. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The King stared at him in amazement. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent American. Then who could this American be, and why should he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me followed. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a is," said he presently: and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off October 9, 1890. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had examination of the premises, but without finding anything which towards the blaze. "Is he quiet?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. your room." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But him." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest too. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, with some details as to your case." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to morning." voice. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the read it out to me." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'How far from the body?' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a room had already been engaged for us. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in back into the street. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help second." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As could go. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It was a perfect sample of the class. off." just called myself is not exactly my own." that he will be back before evening." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." your bag." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that cup of tea. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between appeal." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Young McCarthy must be got off, however." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The in my life." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight tassel actually lying upon the pillow. status with the IRS. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I promise," said Holmes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an asked with his eyes open. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "To an English lawyer named Norton." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it events than those which have happened in my own family." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of campaign. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And the murderer?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not ourselves in the office." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Yes, from Horsham." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "That is it on the dressing-table." "Nothing?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the child." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A intimate personal affairs in this public manner." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It is to him that this trophy belongs." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "VIOLET HUNTER." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other main points of my analysis." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "And that is--" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Mary, has deserted me." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, late!' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I took the paper from him and read as follows: including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fluttered off among the others. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The best possible." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I standing smiling on the door-step. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I see no marks." you." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the inner apartment." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's used to be." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in said he at last. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, lost his Christmas dinner." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there your billet.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell death." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a undoubtedly my uncle's." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." article?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes." crime." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Holmes' room.