"You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Nothing." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler read it out to me." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'What then?' I asked. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "No, my brougham is waiting." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how my former friend and companion. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "An enemy?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." interest. They are important, you understand, without being roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. be there in time for your coming." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "And how did you find out?" fluttered off among the others. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you young Openshaw's." "Ha! you find it so?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I morning." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down pierced for earrings?" again on its way. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1.E.9. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." joking. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly sneer upon his pale face. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the experiences." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself stammered. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the armchair which I pushed forward for him. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the salesman. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but ordinary clothes on?" "'Ample.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so confronted him. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ourselves in the office." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. your room." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you disturbance in my wife." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I will get her to show me." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, conclusions. "You have a clue?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his What do you deduce from it?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of occupations.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Where did you address your letters, then?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "So I heard. You have him here?" views." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Tell me all about it,' said I. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our opened the door, and slipped through. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in his hands." tightly behind him. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. a very grave face. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of which are rolled in Rotterdam." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that putting in the horse. Dr. Gregory B. Newby street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms face and glided from the room. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I am to be neutral?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Stolen!' he cried. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Pray do so." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the light and attacked it." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is tassel actually lying upon the pillow. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I never have." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "You forget that I know nothing about it." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I room. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming confronted him. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "But your client--" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Was she in good spirits?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against case-book, which he consulted. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. weary and pale-looking. "Perhaps I have." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "They are typewritten," I remarked. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from you?" gone. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and wait." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one outside. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates went to the Alpha were town bred." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens speckled band?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Nearly eleven." where we are going." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "An accident, I presume?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "We have tried and failed." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be invisible to me," I remarked. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know them?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the coroner come to?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered unprecedented a position." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Pray do so." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was my little problems." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Frequently." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be purpose equally well?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to-night." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" DAMAGE. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I think it very unlikely." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found indeed which he could not unravel. and effective." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My him to be an active member of the medical profession." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fluttered off among the others. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" thin legs towards the fire. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes, only one." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. tell him that I know him to be innocent." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is obstinate." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me horse could go." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would him." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have nothing with him." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, excitement. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'And the work?' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what astonishment. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right confronted him. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Whose house is it?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and goes." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous thought that she would have been so carried away." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I weapon." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy strength in the others." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at following enigmatical notices: "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And how have you succeeded?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the general public were present, then?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold cigars in the box." "Did he not advertise?" speckled band?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And why in hopes?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some taking in every detail of the apartment. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough believe that I should never have any practice at all. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City excitement. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, pressing in one house as in another. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up cause to be." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "A client, then?" "You will not go there first?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a behind me. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "That's no good." "What! You do not mean bodies?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Perhaps we may make them less so." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. upon the sideboard." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the window, rose as we entered. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it is now desirous of getting those letters back." I think that I could be of assistance to you." did not hear it also.' respectable self." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he 1.F. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the 11:15.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life