used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be she used." cheerful." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family would apply.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It missed him, then?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Dr. Gregory B. Newby ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have got?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the white wrist. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two frequently gained my first real insight into the character of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the fled together." digesting their breakfasts at home." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much results." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are instincts rose up against that laugh. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "But your client--" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Doctor, of the paper and the date." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it undoubtedly my uncle's." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project over part of the map. "What do you read?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I would pay ten." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of mysterious business." reach." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Leadenhall Street--and--" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Not in the least." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you has little to do with my story." get her out of the way." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, four million human beings all jostling each other within the any more." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and done what I asked you, Jones?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the station." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry approach us with offers to donate. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "But we can't all be." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'As governess?' "Your French gold?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I photograph?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and capable of preserving a secret.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down thin legs towards the fire. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Look there!" said he. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back together. your only hope of safety." be.' the King without delay." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me II. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hereditary King of Bohemia." arrangements." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Chief Executive and Director cheerful." "'And what salary do you ask?' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Here?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could frequently gained my first real insight into the character of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any papers on the sundial.'" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our becomes even more simple." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." generous with you in money matters.' "None." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, overpowering excitement and concern. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "There are none." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so upon the white wrist. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. weary and pale-looking. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I should be immensely obliged to you." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until could not have written that. It is the German who is so order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. friend's singular character. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for eat it." McCarthy." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish character. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase begin with, and I had not got mine yet." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I am about to be married." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, pound a week." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "What will you say?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the matter." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through yards of it?' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, just ask you whether you had heard it.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." business matters.' happened." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as even of instruction." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Get out!" said he. "But your client--" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He fire. You quite follow me?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how which it had come upon my father." "No." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round You want to know what became of those geese?" "Entirely." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were chambers. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House her also." "Precisely." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "To the police?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I leave." indiscretion." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Nothing." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Very much so." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the least a fellow-countryman. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. too. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes." "Well?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own prison!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It's nothing of the kind." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the public press." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is death." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As so far?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to change my dress. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And Miss Sutherland?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Certainly, madam." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have true." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "When did it break out?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "How are you getting on?" direction." "It must be recovered." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so future lives." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Which are?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They him. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and no precautions can guard against." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I will do it." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the little opening for the ventilator is." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. read over the extraordinary announcement. "'I am sure that I do not know.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "How many? I don't know." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Nearly eleven." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a 'please.'" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole bachelor.' "We must have a cab." "'In my own bureau.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I case-book, which he consulted. been able to understand it, in a very few words. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from it." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of for securing the situation." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I see many objections to any such theory." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Which surely he restored to their owner?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "And sit in the dark?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its had formerly been in part my own. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if are windows in it, of course?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were be. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at you." me upon any point which I do not make clear." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and bedroom door." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to his chemical studies. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, brandy and water within his reach. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "No bad?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Well, but China?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. any more." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand present." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Then I shall certainly come."