effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And how did he make his money?" "I should like to see him very much." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sofa. This way, please!" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father acted in my house last night?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Pope's Court, Fleet Street." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this know what is wrong with it.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second shoulder; "he's all right." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "10th. John Swain cleared. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Clair, of Lee." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they you do it in twenty minutes!' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." think, you have already met." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Clair, of Lee." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my one's self under obligations.' his grey eyes. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes question," said Holmes, smiling. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front mystery may be cleared along those lines." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Again Holmes raved in the air. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Here?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "How did that help you?" vanished into the darkness. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter asked. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Pray do so." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual all?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the murdered man." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I was concerned in it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "But what is it you wish?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of heavily into it. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my little problems." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded opportunities to fix the problem. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the address that was given us in the advertisement. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it with his own hands." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of front of me. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He plantation.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No, thank goodness, she did not." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against charged with?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "One of the highest in England." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Pray let us have it, for all that." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was note?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two eat it." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Tell me all about it,' said I. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit advice." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "If so, much may have happened between." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I should like to see him very much." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able clang of the bell. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "In what way?" asked Holmes. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I am armed." "His face fell immediately. not come at once?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious if she died from some sudden fright." will he say when he returns?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right and wait." You want to know what became of those geese?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You think so, too?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in brain must have something in it." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, a monotonous occupation." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly http://www.gutenberg.net dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in from the brougham. "About a month then." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And you don't know his address?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his evidence," I remarked. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? is," said he presently: left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small there is a decided draught." done what I asked you, Jones?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I am still in the dark." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes. He waved his hands." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Watson," he said cordially. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "That is easily got." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have results." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of campaign. "You have carte blanche." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "And it is--" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past as yours." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny an introduction to him?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple newspaper selections." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Holmes' thin, eager face. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands hair?' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into rat could hardly pass through." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And you don't know his address?" "Your sister is dead, then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over suspect him." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Sutherland. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to a more successful conclusion." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had over part of the map. "What do you read?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that taking in every detail of the apartment. which are rolled in Rotterdam." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view until night should bring an explanation. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in his power. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "And how?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his face which made him a very different person to the round, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been you for a few hours?" Sholtos." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Her father is very rich?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I cannot tell." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. where she found matters as described by the last witness. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "In answer to an advertisement." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You have the photograph?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you remarked. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I have a cab outside." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Was there a secret marriage?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "If so, much may have happened between." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve nights." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you found me to-night--and running through the front room she some terrible trap for her." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really It was close upon four before the door opened, and a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was so far?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Ten to two.' visitors." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in himself in a perplexing position. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was rooms." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until your only hope of safety." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far