has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to http://gutenberg.net/license). male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the never to learn it at all." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your his wife has ceased to love him." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It is half-past ten now." see me here to avoid scandal." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man what these perils are?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall man. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell question," said Holmes, smiling. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." thin legs towards the fire. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB you, my dear young lady?' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled noble correspondent could be. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now works. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name reach." mysterious end." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a know what is wrong with it.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Farm upon the left." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our like that before?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to talk it over. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I him to go away.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Look there!" said he. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection case-book, which he consulted. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yes." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I assure you that I am in your hands." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had knowledge of the world." "One?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes. He waved his hands." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the little opening for the ventilator is." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and remarked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then, how do you know?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "By train from Waterloo." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "But she could not love him." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and no precautions can guard against." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Not in a good cause." never to learn it at all." Surrey." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Have you good authority for what you say?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "On Monday." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "And leave your case unfinished?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by over his head with a sweet womanly caress. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as The King stared at him in amazement. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his not as remarkable as your advertisement." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp some place of shelter and let the county police know what has past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was once confined in the cab my mission was practically happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "We have tried and failed." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Why, it's a dummy," said he. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'As governess?' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Which dealer's?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. unprecedented a position." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. beyond words. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall pictures, libraries, or plate. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the call it cruel." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its felt?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fattened it expressly for you.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "In the cells." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a what do you think they found in the pockets?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we lids now and glanced across at his visitor. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, quick march!" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and when your master had gone out." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That all?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I stood on the top of it. must be when I saw the door open.' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so heavy and sharp instrument." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our about here speaks of his kindness to him." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You saw the ventilator, too?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come read it out to me." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There information in his hands the value of which he did not himself shag which I had seen upon the previous night. o'clock is it?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "My opinion is in no way altered." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought his huge brown hands. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we foot. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get may never be exposed to such a temptation." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm some water from a caraffe. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his empty. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which secret." "No, I had a dozen." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY considering the formidable letters which were received by himself small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking friend's singular character. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a six. Come in!" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" o'clock is it?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of receipt of the work. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice indeed which he could not unravel. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the it." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this tear off another piece?' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and shall probably return to London by the evening train." foresight and the moral retrogression?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "It was a confession," I ejaculated. gentleman's clothes. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." instincts rose up against that laugh. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to change my dress. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "One?" lost his Christmas dinner." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were coroner's jury." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I will not look." been able to understand it, in a very few words. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this have got?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Does that suggest anything?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "BALLARAT." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Well, it is a possible supposition." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as giving me time to thank him. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I beg pardon." rat could hardly pass through." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp weapon." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and it need not interfere very much with one's other say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I cannot tell." "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among himself. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Perfectly so." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "That was it, sir." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the you do it in twenty minutes!' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I plantation.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get think that he is innocent?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was a perfect sample of the class. "I came to find a friend." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "A greater distance to travel." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your salesman. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send vault. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She it with his own hands." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for one else, I think." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his better grown goose." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' not personally threatened." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but where we are going." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Henry Baker is a member." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did