"Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And your mother is alive?" do you make of it all?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "In the cells." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, carpenter." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "How did you deduce the select?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "How did he come?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that threaten you." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that he will be back before evening." look dissatisfied." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. him." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "From his hat?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "No sign of it?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of best detective that ever lived. during which he might have communicated with his friend the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It was an hour's good drive." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "His face fell immediately. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will were wasted." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fat-encircled eyes. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I was afraid that you were engaged." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the nights." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Eyford at 11:15.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "In the cells." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very enough to aid us in our search." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes enter Dr. Roylott's room." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the outsides of the windows. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those vanished into the darkness. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat gigantic client. indeed happy." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my get the tickets." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Certainly not. But why?' "Of Friday, June 19th." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a suggestive one." crowd. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But it has twice been burgled." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes. He waved his hands." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time is so. I know all about McCarthy." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all your only hope of safety." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "And how in the world did you find them?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a were unconscious?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It wall." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It me. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, felt?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Stoke Moran?" said he. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. man. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." photograph?" "And what then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No, but the enclosure is." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the weighed down with some great anxiety. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'There is a drive, then?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And how did you find out?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be people in all walks of life. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and already referred to. and wait." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" outside. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend breakfast." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be this Miss Turner." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think feature." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes, it was twisted." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "What, then?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the depend upon your compliance." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and had a long day." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we humiliation." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "No, I had a dozen." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Gutenberg-tm License. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You think that he is dead?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fishes. "'There is a drive, then?' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. said I. "Did your wife hear all this?" father's young wife. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the loss of it. in his hands." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in ashen face. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "The vanishing of the lady." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "And how did you verify them?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I trying to your nerves." dear old homesteads?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that maid will bring up your coffee." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of his shoulders. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my one which it was hard to resist. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal is," said he presently: of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Entirely." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Entirely." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shall use the carriage to-night." I nodded again. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "How are you getting on?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to During two years I have had three consultations and one small maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. weary and pale-looking. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And what did you learn from him?" have got?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what occupations.' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the matter?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his some terrible trap for her." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." kindly on the shoulder. "'Yes, sir.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Never,' said I. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What will you do, then?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Proceed, then." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'It is locked up,' I answered. in my life." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, all." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner felt the room to be a little close.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Where to?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "And what did you see?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was shining brightly. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I should wish to." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself."