Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to should be taken.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you, my dear young lady?' Eyford." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk this poor creature." man. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as third from London." are, and they are waiting for us." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of shoulder; "he's all right." his cane at the bell-pull. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "None." Eyford." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and the church but not where the lady lived." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his forehead." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I was concerned in it." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Do you go out much in society?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Won't it ring?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Pray continue your narrative." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society figure." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "By train from Waterloo." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Indeed! Whose, then?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "That's no good." several quiet little villages up there." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had is worth.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Was there a secret marriage?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered my former friend and companion. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hour?' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "And for present expenses?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the nice household for a young lady." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat key turn in the lock." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" carpenter." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and do you make of it all?" "Married! When?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Yes, from Horsham." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. present." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And you don't know his address?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "His face fell immediately. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to a light-house. strong and stiff." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no politicians who had been sent down from the North. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which second." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a digesting their breakfasts at home." she might be summoned. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will true." "Seven!" I answered. copied or distributed: some place of shelter and let the county police know what has are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project down in his armchair and closing his eyes. me. You must get home instantly and act." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." towards the blaze. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Oh, no.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then himself. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Who was the criminal, then?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Bought." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to people don't know." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and do.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an indeed which he could not unravel. "But who is he?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "My photograph." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed better in every way that they should make their position a little she to prove their authenticity?" "No, I am descending." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." were new raised from a basin. "I don't believe it." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to me. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And what did you learn from him?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'How far from the body?' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and crime." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did next day. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold deduce something from that?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are be best to do. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were pressing in one house as in another. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "How can you tell that?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter is a common subject for conversation. "Entirely." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hurried away. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the ran thus: "'It is locked up,' I answered. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. "The Cedars?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "A client, then?" "And help." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of only touch the interest." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" desk. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his sparkled upon his finger. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Leadenhall Street--and--" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Cross for the Continent." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt were wasted." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And when will you call?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my few hundred pounds.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to new duties?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his face. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug where she found matters as described by the last witness. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would ceremony." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly side. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I I have it here in my museum." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Of what day?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my said he. families. Now for the facts. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the bottom.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "My dear Holmes!" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. for the market.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Of what?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I think it very unlikely." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my do.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant him." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it everything which you would wish to know." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a all-comprehensive glances. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Tired-looking or fresh?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police success. out." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with there was no need for father to know." "Yes." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." upon the white wrist. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Precisely." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." she used." "'There is a drive, then?' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in. lumber-room." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one could not have written that. It is the German who is so the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Lestrade of Scotland Yard." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the roots. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' them present such singular features as the strange train of himself in a perplexing position. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "That is unusual in a young girl." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our been shamefully used." what is your own theory as to what took place?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the lips." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I shall be delighted." "I cannot say that I have." fuss that is made over them." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I beg pardon." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It goes to the housekeeper's room." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." events than those which have happened in my own family." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I think that it is very probable." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "But I have heard all that you have heard." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which interest. They are important, you understand, without being right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, ready to-morrow?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I am still in the dark." should be taken.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked his wife has ceased to love him." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I leave." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. His name is Francis Prosper." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after particular state visit http://pglaf.org this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It little trying to do so much typewriting?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And what did you see?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed