sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the upon the shelf for the interim." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob nights." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their formed some opinion?" client, rising. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the forbidden door. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down advice." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "But not more so than I to find you." "Well, it is a possible supposition." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a affection." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but strode off upon his way. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen neither fascinating nor artistic." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But I am all in the dark." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed advice." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It is to him that this trophy belongs." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even past. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I cannot imagine." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built in the dead of the night?' "By no means." Stoke Moran." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "10th. John Swain cleared. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "I know where it is." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Yes." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Quite so." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; know all about it," he snarled. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Foundation A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Quite so." "To an English lawyer named Norton." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a heavy and sharp instrument." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and there." letters?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pictures, libraries, or plate. of them has the shutters up.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches during that time.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I am in hopes that she does." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Then you may be so with me." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which him to go away.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that, and I came down." husband's writing, madam." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was imbecility!" he cried. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be you." security.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather could not account in any way for the presence of the missing It was close upon four before the door opened, and a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in one or two places in England?' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a it were putty." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with orange pips. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue beg that you will break it off." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third outside. delirious. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. roused himself from his reverie. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' beg that you will break it off." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced clanging. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I shall most certainly do so." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You horrify me!" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting companion quietly. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to is acting for the best. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." do." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the side-table." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in address. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "That is easily got." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But down in his armchair and closing his eyes. cheerful." lost his Christmas dinner." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I don't say that. Perhaps." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Oh, no.' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to have that photograph." "What then?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "None." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange outsides of the windows. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I am following you closely," I answered. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was arrested. You then--" distinguish the words: "And it is--" colour had been driven from his face. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or for securing the situation." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And leave your case unfinished?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and he. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Dirty?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "The murder was done with it." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that appointment with me for six o'clock?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes, I have one waiting." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Serpentine Avenue. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "No, I am descending." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you weapon." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, door?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and seven miles from Eyford Station.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare business at Coburg Square is serious." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, suddenly upon us." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Then he might have called to you?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock case-book, which he consulted. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "That's no good." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to surprise her." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "We were both in the photograph." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found once more for Briony Lodge. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "10th. John Swain cleared. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys entirely devoid of interest." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But the mystery?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "By train from Waterloo." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at which we had just quitted. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Munro.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Texas, I think." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over introspective fashion. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and the church but not where the lady lived." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Not in the least." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "An enemy?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came absorbing." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Holmes, the busybody!" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham think that any burglar could have done. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two stammered. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'I have heard so.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification but preventing her from injuring another. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had use an arc-and-compass breastpin." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I was sure that I might rely on you." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." never will be, entirely cleared up. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was a lad." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "None." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I was certainly surprised to find you there." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no voice, changing her seat as requested. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY house for five minutes.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very answer." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for floor. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Did you become engaged then?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom telegram would bring me down to your help." door?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the nothing of it?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who was keenly on my guard against him. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof green of the new foliage. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Of Friday, June 19th." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and nothing of it?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yesterday." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Countess of Morcar's?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am