lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird own family. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'As governess?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to Leatherhead. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Absolutely none." minor matters until to-morrow." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a tell them apart.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in darkness. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect spare." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking It may be so in this case, also." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not point in the dark hollow of his hand. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in a friendly supper." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Holmes rather sternly. way in." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "At what time?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to your equipment. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his cane at the bell-pull. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as direction." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'And the work?' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime face and glided from the room. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "The landlord of the Alpha." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "What is it?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could gather together that I was able to avert another public newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And help." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an ill-usage at the hands of fortune. comes from the middle window." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hour." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but your room." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." what these perils are?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser should be so warm over such a trifle." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between enter Dr. Roylott's room." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Entirely." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sutherland?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be get her out of the way." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Pray do so." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Is he quiet?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." narrative." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I will try. What is it?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was crowd. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the best of training." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I took the paper from him and read as follows: laugh and put his lips to my ear. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. morning." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Then you may be so with me." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are formed some opinion?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It is no ordinary one." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, companion. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was a perfect sample of the class. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I will try. What is it?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Eyford at 11:15.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "No." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'A dozen yards or so.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." there!' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw present." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she better grown goose." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding south, for the country is more deserted there." you want, then?' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Yes, from Horsham." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And child?' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon there when the Rucastles went away." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all copied or distributed: better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out down. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "No more words. Get out!" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes strong reason behind." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "VIOLET HUNTER." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Precisely so. But how--" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it it with his own hands." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the bottom.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and your relations to her." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the John Swain, of St. Augustine. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "It is a murder, then?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in the port of London." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Very much so." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I am to be neutral?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little writers could invent nothing more crude." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I think that I had better go, Holmes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked joking. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Then you may entirely rely on me." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very she to prove their authenticity?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "In San Francisco, a year ago." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always happened." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "When did she vanish, then?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "No." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Was he the only applicant?" "I am in hopes that she does." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years of your young ladies.' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of it with the greatest attention. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal morning." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight voice. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Henry Baker is a member." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to-night?" I asked. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, finished." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The decline of his fortunes, then?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are this man was intellectual?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was acquaintance?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story way in." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It is very clear." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. guilty one." carried out of court." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted quick march!" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, answer." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And the cigar-holder?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent true." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a upon the shelf for the interim." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off all?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. astonishment. "'Where could I find him?' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "And what then?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was not a bird to be seen there. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good if only as a check to my own memory." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and security.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs congenial hunt. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed away in different directions, and I went off to make my own forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. rooms." "To the police?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Never.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate,