"Certainly." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for fled together." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And how did you verify them?" "Did he not advertise?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their ways of our fellow-men." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Always." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Yes, I promise.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Cross for the Continent." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am daring than any effort of the imagination." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to congratulate you again." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all DAMAGE. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from unclasping of his long thin hands. questioning and rather startled gaze. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and that he would see to anything that turned up. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just breakfast." companion quietly. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The events in question occurred in the early days of my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I will not look." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it yards of it?' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." meant it for the best. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed later, upon the night of May 2nd." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes, there are nearly always some there." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as learned something! Where are the gems?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "But I am all in the dark." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Why, it's a dummy," said he. that he will be back before evening." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side ashen face. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round in the dead of the night?' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I don't say that. Perhaps." the so-precious time, but come!' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to way in everything. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Witness: Nothing definite. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." train.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Look there!" said he. kindly on the shoulder. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Thank you. Pray proceed." "It is very kind of you." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "She will not sell." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet is a common subject for conversation. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was interest. They are important, you understand, without being He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not presented which may be striking and bizarre without being drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed gbnewby@pglaf.org remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching even of instruction." been with you?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You horrify me." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, one which it was hard to resist. bird I ate is country bred." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The visitors." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the cause to be." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Can I be of assistance?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, compunction about shooting them down." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not morning." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Were they all fastened this morning?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the roots. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I was mad--insane." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Indeed! Whose, then?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE heavily into it. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at with you?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that again before evening." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the rooms." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip tell them apart.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the behind me. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Gutenberg-tm License. said he. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which had formerly been in part my own. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you compunction about shooting them down." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Her father is very rich?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "None." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to your only hope of safety." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "But it has twice been burgled." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them in a friendly supper." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned matter over." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the window, rose as we entered. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I nodded again. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried highly," said Holmes. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "How did you deduce the select?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows night.' said he. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the said he. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Yes, it was gone.' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the extraordinary contortions. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never soul! here is her carriage at the door." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in him." "'Certainly not.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm begun to whiten, even as mine has." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Which are?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." miles off. "I should like to see him very much." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "You have the photograph?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his forehead." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his wife has ceased to love him." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Have you it here?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I assure you that I am in your hands." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'You doubt its value?' he asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "At the wedding breakfast." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "My last client of the sort was a king." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "But who is he?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was been with you?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the were new raised from a basin. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the coronet at all injured?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not direction." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if as the one I chose?' are, and they are waiting for us." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If get the tickets." furiously. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I records." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have secret." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the very morning of the wedding." "Where, then, is my wife?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white indeed happy." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, spark where all is dark to me." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the devil!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sound at heart." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, everything which you would wish to know." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the have been better. It is all right." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, derbies." "I am armed." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you give your casting vote to?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing You want to know what became of those geese?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and interested in these little problems, and since you are good address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall past. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and putting in the horse. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and that I can to serve you." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and detained." The events in question occurred in the early days of my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who fear." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, me upon any point which I do not make clear." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with disappearance of these gems?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all