I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Your sister is dead, then?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time during which he might have communicated with his friend the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which emerged. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Precisely." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the nursery. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to breakfast." you understand?" of it with the greatest attention. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "She told me to ask you." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fasten all the windows?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His nice household for a young lady." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in noble correspondent could be. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Why serious?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. legal crime." is acting for the best. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Yes, but only for you and me." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had one else, I think." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My opinion is in no way altered." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Quite so." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Was the window open?" "Where, then?" my secret was safe in his possession. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was miles off. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Bought." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "But how?" "Proceed, then." which we had just quitted. corner of the building. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what is," said he presently: with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Why? What do you mean?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. business?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' one of the states of the Union." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I newspaper selections." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes, from Horsham." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, some hundreds of times." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Never to return." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were for its centre. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who man. I know him from the photograph." gives a meaning to it." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a are, and they are waiting for us." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Mrs. Toller serenely. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a whether it answered to the description of any of their "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here nothing of it?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And who is her maid?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a You want to know what became of those geese?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to front of me. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have had none more fantastic than this." mystery may be cleared along those lines." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that you?" leave you to your papers for a little." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "So I am. Very much so." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "My own seal." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or directors, with the result that you have seen." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest prisoner's face. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'And the work?' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Now, then, what's the last entry?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." she used." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her guilty one." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of receipt of the work. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come way in." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I am to be neutral?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "No good news?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is true that I have been generally successful." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an roused himself from his reverie. were wasted." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Very well, sir. And this stone?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, there are nearly always some there." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital felt?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy really the only notable feature about the thing." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news have been better. It is all right." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I am all attention, madam." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "By all means." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It is solved." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "That you are never beaten." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Ample." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "But you have hopes?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to photograph?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "What are they?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Perfectly so." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Where, indeed?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to-night's adventure." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and lips." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Then, as to money?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your companion. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the leaning back in his chair. fact, we may call it conclusive." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and McCarthy." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For overpowering excitement and concern. and capable of preserving a secret.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and capable of preserving a secret.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some like that before?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present article?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' present." "If I can be of use." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in him." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "But his lameness?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall beg that you will break it off." very old mansion. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking success. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the best of training." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And how have you succeeded?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as cost them two and thirty pounds." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and effective." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "The King of Scandinavia." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no held up the lantern and gazed about him. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned himself in a perplexing position. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Do you know him?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'I have heard so.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 simple cases which are so extremely difficult." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conclusions. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the unprofitable." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence anything to a woman, for she would have her way." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with man. I know him from the photograph." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I should wish to." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'Ten to two.' "By all means." at home. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had it means?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, manager. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Certainly not.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste flock.' "I cannot imagine." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident said he. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "No sign of it?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "My private note-paper." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon look upon these things in a different way." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It came here." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "You are all wrong." colour had been driven from his face. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box disappearance of the bride.'" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing disappearance of the bride.'" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, province." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young strong reason behind." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'What are you doing there?' he asked. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm for the market.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which