States. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face or other trace. But how on earth--" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the way in everything. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest It was close upon four before the door opened, and a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'There is a drive, then?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a little more before I quite committed myself. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "One of his hands." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to a more successful conclusion." that there was nothing in it, after all." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It light and attacked it." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "No bad?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed spare." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "On your arm?" "Won't it ring?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Where to?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that there was nothing in it, after all." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, quite distinctive." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "In the cells." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Witness: It was. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Count Von Kramm." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Never.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wall." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "What I expected to see." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong weary and pale-looking. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to-night?" I asked. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a quickly through a disagreeable task. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Was there a secret marriage?" "What do you mean?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem been able to understand it, in a very few words. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I with the outside air!" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. for the market.' instituted." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Just look it up, then." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the Red-headed League." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "What do you mean?" "'Yes, I promise.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "He is dead," cried several voices. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You were travelling in the States?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of campaign. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Where did you address your letters, then?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "But what is it you wish?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our with some details as to your case." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the morning and make my own way in the world.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age grasp, he hurried from the room. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Foundation "I have hopes." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "No sign of it?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an you?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is this Miss Turner." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in him." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he lamp. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. imbecility!" he cried. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Is purely nominal.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Stoke Moran?" said he. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And from a noble client?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" keep the flames under. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a shaken than I had ever seen him. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Never." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few prison!" affection." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hard-headed British jury." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still man. I know him from the photograph." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen question you as to those details which seem to me to be most though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "10th. John Swain cleared. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Pool. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Not particularly." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See comes from the middle window." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it room. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Pray tell us what has happened to you." should be so warm over such a trifle." have accepted such a situation. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, legal crime." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his cane at the bell-pull. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my you?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the Red-headed League." awkward doing business with an alias." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it them?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the general public were present, then?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the any little problem which you may submit to me." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "On your arm?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ashen face. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of fine shops and stately business premises that they really they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of spare." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "One?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the morning and make my own way in the world.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Texas, I think." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first bill, which interests me deeply." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Eyford at 11:15.' was used.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the coronet in his hand?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few upon an income of about 60 pounds." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your undoubtedly my uncle's." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "What!" he roared. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a I held the little printed slip to the light. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Certainly." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Dr. Becher's." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each you want, then?' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. minor matters until to-morrow." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you be best to do. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and do you make of it all?" been shamefully used." you, my dear young lady?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "My dear Holmes!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was nonsense.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all any." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. remarked. to a light-house. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Yes." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all weapon." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean recall any case within my experience which looked at the first side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind speckled band?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fattened it expressly for you.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "The Cedars?" secret." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Where to?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel it with his own hands." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" man. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "But what is it you wish?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No bad?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich