"Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, indeed happy." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" leave you to your papers for a little." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Nothing?" who was a member of your goose club." chambers. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to-night?" I asked. "You have carte blanche." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a nothing of it?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." cigars in their mouths. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "You have but to name it." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "It is very clear." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Perhaps I have." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged directly by questioning you." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the inner apartment." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I himself to tell his story. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "By no means." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You forget that I know nothing about it." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the ago." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I suddenly upon us." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest never to learn it at all." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Do you go out much in society?" "Eh? What was that?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the coronet in his hand?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal occurred." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "In the cells." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was a room. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in will not take me long to tell. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress crime." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just appeal." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Farm upon the left." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "To an English lawyer named Norton." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I shall communicate with you." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that he has suffered." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and looked back. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "No?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pierced for earrings?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and seem to you to be relevant or not." "Stolen, then." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I signal between you and your father? and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of this gang." with you?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How many? I don't know." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Yes, at the mines." the room while you explain this matter?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further yet." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "And what then?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts himself to hunt down. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It is no ordinary one." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I don't say that. Perhaps." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the guilty one." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I nodded again. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' will he say when he returns?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple about here speaks of his kindness to him." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "What is it?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" next day. that, and I came down." depend upon your compliance." bird of prey. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you, my dear young lady?' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there into the bag, and made for the door. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the vault. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And why in hopes?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." there." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United showing my impatience. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Farm upon the left." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Not I." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." strength." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the tapping his fingers upon the table. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you in your example." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I think that it is very probable." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I have solved it." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Holmes' face clouded over. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Then I do not see the point." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few What do you deduce from it?" past. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then you may be so with me." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, begun to whiten, even as mine has." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to she used." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have got?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I know where it is." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could exactly what you advise." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying asked. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Perfectly so." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he bowed and left the room without another word. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation kind enough to tell me what I should do." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "It is half-past ten now." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I have hopes." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. unclasping of his long thin hands. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which could not have written that. It is the German who is so rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he mystery." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Again Holmes raved in the air. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Eyford." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "What do you make of that, Watson?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bonnet, and went out." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added point our research must commence, and we will begin it by had formerly been in part my own. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a plantation.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. made his money." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "We were both in the photograph." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Mrs. Toller serenely. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible so.' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You think that he is dead?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hand, madam?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. amused." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Witness: It was. at home. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "No sign of it?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small indeed which he could not unravel. 'please.'" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a ready to-morrow?' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I cannot tell." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day me where it went to?" been with you?" quite distinctive." lost nothing by them." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Arthur Conan Doyle "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very his wife has ceased to love him." entirely lost his self-respect." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but populous neighbourhood." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the used to be." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Miss Holder?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do interests were the same as his." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in fattened it expressly for you.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since daring than any effort of the imagination." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Not yet." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "What is it, then--a fire?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Where is it, then?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a weapon." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All