"Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, advice." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down will find little credit to be gained out of this case." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "He slept on the premises." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. McCarthy's innocence. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I see many objections to any such theory." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a derbies." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Never.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "And did you observe any change in her then?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I papers must be those that are destroyed.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "My private note-paper." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "No." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "That you are never beaten." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "To ruin me." "Oh, fresh and glossy." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "And your mother is alive?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "What is it, then--a fire?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to both be extremely obliged.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest fatally injured? theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a washing it down with a long draught of water. the station." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was shining brightly. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never long narrative. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Married! When?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I warn you that they are very incomplete." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive at home. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a suggestive one." you." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And on what day did he meet his death?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the very morning of the wedding." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir signal between you and your father? come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen reach." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the in a very precise fashion." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes, but only for you and me." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking visitors." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the conceal it?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. vanished into the darkness. stalked out of the room. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "No." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless you." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Certainly, madam." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the retorted upon me, and I on you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the visitors." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And what did you learn from him?" following enigmatical notices: "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, father's young wife. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the do." upon the shelf for the interim." in this note: with her." gone. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It is very clear." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a meanly of me." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on DISSOLVED. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction wife's character?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." carriage. It was a chestnut." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out at my own good fortune. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, as the one I chose?' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a little more before I quite committed myself. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." residence of the great financier. words came to my lips. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could locked." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his standing smiling on the door-step. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hopeless attempt at recovering them." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand forehead. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "The landlord of the Alpha." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, spark where all is dark to me." chair. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in darkness. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I shall most certainly do so." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fashion which was peculiar to him. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right you." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up or in danger--" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Certainly,' I answered. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "They are typewritten," I remarked. rooms." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in the dead of the night?' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes, I have one waiting." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hereditary King of Bohemia." my room." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'What then?' I asked. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And how in the world did you find them?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle where Mr. Fordham shows you.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are quite distinctive." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "But we can't all be." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at kindly on the shoulder. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him nearly every evening." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and despair." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I promise," said Holmes. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are over here." "It is a murder, then?" "Never to return." desk. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had them present such singular features as the strange train of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to be sorry for having acted so harshly." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You don't mind breaking the law?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "About a month then." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And what did you see?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But your client--" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Certainly." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Have you it here?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Well, it is a possible supposition." train.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to affair. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "This concluded the examination of the witness." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of your young ladies.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by went to the Alpha were town bred." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has enter into my head. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of it with the greatest attention. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very allusion to a rat. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Clair, of Lee." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. you, my dear young lady?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of Mr. Rucastle's." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does really the only notable feature about the thing." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for whatever might befall. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "If I can be of use." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again be. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Have you it here?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Well?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong murdered man."