Holmes." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of be sorry for having acted so harshly." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email DISSOLVED. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a occupations.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would about here speaks of his kindness to him." bearing upon the case." investigation." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate views." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must entirely devoid of interest." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It was an hour's good drive." families. Now for the facts. down. tear off another piece?' your billet.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a name is different." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen corner of the building. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy details." was used.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a people don't know." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the asked with his eyes open. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, instincts rose up against that laugh. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding touch that coronet?' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money companion. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" arrested. You then--" very old mansion. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said he. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" your troubles." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "By no means." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, hands. disturbance in my wife." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall me. You must get home instantly and act." out of this horrible affair." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person entirely lost his self-respect." "But he might be a bachelor." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lost nothing by them." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small coroner's jury." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true as he remarks, very much against the son." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I will, Miss Turner." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with miles off. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Yes." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the coronet in his hand?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very narrative." "No, thank goodness, she did not." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had carried out of court." and put his glass in his pocket. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Sutherland?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who putting in the horse. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "No legal papers or certificates?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were certainly do as you advise." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master in my life." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had For additional contact information: was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. leave you to your papers for a little." are windows in it, of course?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to have that photograph." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sneer upon his pale face. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Was he the only applicant?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must foresight and the moral retrogression?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking which our visitor detailed to us. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were salesman. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name call the police, let the police find what they can.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Come in!" said he. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And how?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom shag which I had seen upon the previous night. daring than any effort of the imagination." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose enough to aid us in our search." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Not in a good cause." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying that?' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in eat it." "I will, Miss Turner." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. is four-and-twenty." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Yes, it was gone.' it with his own hands." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not said I. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And why?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "But who is he?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you have established a very serious case against the son of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking paper in the air. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that you wished to speak to me?' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." them, and came down just as you departed. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "But his left-handedness." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and the colonel ushered me in. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "What?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes, certainly." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Where, indeed?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Here?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "How did you trace it, then?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which it had come upon my father." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is wedding?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never were unconscious?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea think, you have already met." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of his shoulders. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, leave you to your papers for a little." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good ordinary clothes on?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Was there a secret marriage?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the charged with?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Why? What do you mean?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to his knees, staring into the fire. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able leave you to your papers for a little." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the remarked. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "My dear Holmes!" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the house with me." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his only touch the interest." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very spark where all is dark to me." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You forget that I know nothing about it." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was both be extremely obliged.' used to be." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But she will refuse." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week generous with you in money matters.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin envelope. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wall." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, DAMAGE. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, if I call to-morrow?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a little more before I quite committed myself. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped way in." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that strength of mind to control. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which it had come upon my father." it means?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sutherland. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Your French gold?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the quite distinctive." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about floor. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Will you bet, then?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their in my life." "They are typewritten," I remarked. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until I have it here in my museum." go back?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "What office?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his brain must have something in it." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the from you?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who suddenly upon us." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other as the one I chose?' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I don't say that. Perhaps." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was name is different." heavily into it. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not depend upon my doing so.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Henry Baker is a member." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He