in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'And what salary do you ask?' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself coroner's jury." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' newspaper selections." be. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But how?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I it means?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord giving me time to thank him. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Countess of Morcar's?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And what did you see?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy bird of prey. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have got?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it means?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "How many? I don't know." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Have you it here?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And what did you learn from him?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "You have carte blanche." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the morning and make my own way in the world.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a respectable self." "Then I am your man." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'And what salary do you ask?' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Have you good authority for what you say?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take your Highness to the police-station?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by said he. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced nothing with him." "You were travelling in the States?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up that he has suffered." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'How far from the body?' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock what do you think they found in the pockets?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the what these perils are?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "What then?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." directly by questioning you." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that o'clock is it?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the redistribution. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and call you and give you the chance." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, manager. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I am in hopes that she does." disturbance in my wife." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not me. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those go back?" "In answer to an advertisement." Pope's Court. sake, don't!" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." strength." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to miss it." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was him!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "The doctor?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you want, then?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You have it, sir, just as it happened." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Young McCarthy must be got off, however." way: "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the window, rose as we entered. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Entirely." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yesterday." "Yes, it was twisted." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my a very grave face. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Here?" deduce something from that?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the salesman. "10th. John Swain cleared. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just bill, which interests me deeply." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "What have you done?" asked Holmes. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was 1.E.9. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I noble correspondent could be. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll happened." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have got?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that I may have something better before very many minutes are more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "She told me to ask you." laugh and put his lips to my ear. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City carriage. It was a chestnut." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had posted to-day." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves nice household for a young lady." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young up this clue while it is still hot." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his side. "I see many objections to any such theory." "So I have heard." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'How far from the body?' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to have been novel and of interest." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never McCarthy." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "And help." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the new duties?' "It is very clear." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the trying to your nerves." the coronet in his hand?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sentimental considerations in the background which would induce shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of the efforts of the United States government and of the better India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. enter into my head. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and papers on the sundial.'" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And now?" He raised his hand. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in my life." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my shoulder; "he's all right." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" on re-entering her father's house?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the joking. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into wall." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots him. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but showing my impatience. "Yes." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to tied." is now desirous of getting those letters back." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a them?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, experiences." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "He said too much." to surprise her." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, she to prove their authenticity?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Does that suggest anything?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. vanished into the darkness. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the beyond words. "9th. McCauley cleared. friends, not even his own brother. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to-night?' had picked up in the wood. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Not in a good cause." are, and they are waiting for us." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well salesman. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, if she died from some sudden fright." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "If so, much may have happened between." "How did you deduce the select?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, villagers almost as much as their master. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a nothing with him." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "But she could not love him." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Ah, but I was recommended to you." only touch the interest." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Countess of Morcar's?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Mrs. Toller serenely. "Stolen, then." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a My friend smiled. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet jewels which you have stolen?' "You horrify me." you?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "No, but the enclosure is." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Can I be of assistance?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Who was the criminal, then?" your most interesting statement." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. which are rolled in Rotterdam." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the mystery." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third from the brougham. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Perfectly so." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated results." infinite languor in his face. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened begun to whiten, even as mine has." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two him. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce crime. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Here?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "So I have heard." depend upon my doing so.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Where could I find him?' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of tightly behind him. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the directors, with the result that you have seen." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So is worth.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I am all attention, madam." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.'