snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the garden below. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the morning and make my own way in the world.' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Will you bet, then?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes' room. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner since then to throw any light upon what became of him." me where it went to?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been chance at all." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the detective. into the room. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than My friend smiled. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have address. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "In answer to an advertisement." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to Leatherhead. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "And how?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves this man was intellectual?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Leave Paddington by the 11:15." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Of what day?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was used.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow sparkled upon his finger. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for comes from the middle window." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his forehead." know that the truth is known." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "To ruin me." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "The doctor?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Who was the criminal, then?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' wedding?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It is no ordinary one." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not these bleak autumnal evenings." Countess of Morcar's?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Eyford." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has purpose of examination. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Foundation Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, some terrible trap for her." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next For additional contact information: play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that there was nothing in it, after all." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Pool. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Certainly,' I answered. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Leadenhall Street--and--" "I will try. What is it?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "But what will you do?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. waste of energy." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold room?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fashion which was peculiar to him. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "It must be recovered." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, affection." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes, sir." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as key turn in the lock." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my newspaper selections." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if voice. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to tackle the facts." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good astonishment. approach us with offers to donate. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "And what then?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And help." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And that is--" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "But you have hopes?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you read it out to me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his eyes and forehead. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "No. What a strange idea!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "How do you know, then?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But the mystery?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal reach." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'What do you call purely nominal?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: morning." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices tightly behind him. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was if I call to-morrow?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "We must sit without light. He would see it through the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I very morning of my second wedding." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my enough to aid us in our search." burst out into a roar of laughter. "And sit in the dark?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the brain must have something in it." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of them has the shutters up.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." you came in." "Certainly, madam." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, entirely devoid of interest." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And for present expenses?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either attention." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, it was twisted." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I handed it to him. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that he has suffered." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as have not had my rubber." tail." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in there has been an enclosure here!" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how this unhappy family?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "The best possible." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "So I am. Very much so." spark where all is dark to me." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now directors have had misgivings upon the subject." humiliation." with some details as to your case." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I promise," said Holmes. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of ourselves in the office." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Precisely so. But how--" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall bare slabs of marble. second." "Certainly." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" hour?' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I cannot imagine." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and that he would see to anything that turned up. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and woven round him. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story handed it to him. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It is no ordinary one." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes, from Horsham." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, sir." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The handed it to him. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for least a most suspicious remark." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have accepted such a situation. wedding?" "No, I had a dozen." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through him to be an active member of the medical profession." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his arrested. You then--" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my upon a handsome competence. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, certainly." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't lumber-room." was a lad." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said just ask you whether you had heard it.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ourselves in the office." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the them?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes' face clouded over. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the