impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Married! When?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version never to learn it at all." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in his power. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "She showed me, as I told you she would." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide yards of it?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists begun to whiten, even as mine has." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Is he quiet?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "The King of Scandinavia." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Thank you. And your address?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I companion quietly. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had see me here to avoid scandal." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. she might be summoned. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself out of this horrible affair." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon bore every mark of being an average commonplace British lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and becomes even more simple." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did wife's character?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," success. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no himself to hunt down. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "There is the writing." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, all that?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it fluttered off among the others. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to breakfast?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Her father is very rich?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the side-table." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, security.' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. take the flies, but not before." to talk it over. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in there was no need for father to know." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** details should find their way into the papers. Inspector than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Texas, I think." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "That's no good." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Witness: It was. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of despair." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would character. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What! Had he lost his wife?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ready to-morrow?' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at place no limit on the sum I may draw." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Come in!" said he. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You have compromised yourself seriously." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Leadenhall Street--and--" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of them has the shutters up.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Was he the only applicant?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, strength of mind to control. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from outbreak?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, held up the lantern and gazed about him. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Ha! you find it so?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. astonishment. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, sir." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And I to find an enemy." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You horrify me!" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most do you make of it all?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second been able to understand it, in a very few words. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. him to go away.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at you?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he away into the river." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'You doubt its value?' he asked. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, it." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "What is it?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had ashen face. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy gone. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another open." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up see a sister of mine apply for." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had next day. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and tightly behind him. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Well, some hundreds of times." to some other building. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "And on what day did he meet his death?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "That also I could fathom." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She them present such singular features as the strange train of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already kindly on the shoulder. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a address. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I upon the white wrist. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I am about to be married." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present chance at all." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should must compliment you." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I fear not." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Very truly yours, License. You must require such a user to return or law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light people in all walks of life. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Who was the criminal, then?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure might have a private word with us. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Really! You surprise me." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting so far?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them nothing of it?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of his shoulders. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very said he, "my real name is James Ryder." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was quickly through a disagreeable task. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must to tackle the facts." tension within him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "No legal papers or certificates?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, companion. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card once more. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'I am sure that I do not know.' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as he folded up the epistle. "No sign of it?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There believe that I should never have any practice at all. rat could hardly pass through." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." plantation.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Stolen!' he cried. way in." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able minor matters until to-morrow." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" said I. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And that is--" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to take care of herself." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "When did she vanish, then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But I am all in the dark." brain must have something in it." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what writers could invent nothing more crude." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It is very kind of you." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her what is your own theory as to what took place?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then arrested. You then--" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its McCarthy." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I distinguish the words: "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks begun to whiten, even as mine has." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses