sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who questionable one." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my people don't know." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And what did you learn from him?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Witness: Nothing definite. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to you." which our visitor detailed to us. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in new acquaintance to Baker Street. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in absorbing." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "But you can know nothing of this?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My photograph." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And your mother is alive?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of his huge brown hands. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; brain must have something in it." which it had come upon my father." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'How far from the body?' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it foresight and the moral retrogression?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the learned something! Where are the gems?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a his cane at the bell-pull. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Serpentine Avenue. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it means?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "How did you trace it, then?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "When did it break out?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the II. must be when I saw the door open.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, green of the new foliage. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let is entirely a question of barometric pressure." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the amused." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can attention." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker generous with you in money matters.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely what these perils are?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing 1.F. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in one or two places in England?' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the morning." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It is solved." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they deduce something from that?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Yes." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "My stepfather's business papers." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry remarked. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity call for it in person on Monday morning.' future lives." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small enter Dr. Roylott's room." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and affection." "But how?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I have a cab outside." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Very. But will he see it?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to a light-house. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I see no marks." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the shall not find me ungrateful." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate yards of it?' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" matter." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. several quiet little villages up there." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. had formerly been in part my own. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "That is easily got." 'please.'" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an nice household for a young lady." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Holmes. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I should like to see him very much." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Yes." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "The landlord of the Alpha." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Farm upon the left." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It is very clear." you?' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out had formerly been in part my own. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Awake, Watson?" he asked. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. never came back." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Dr. Gregory B. Newby lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever whereabouts. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in than to us. was shining brightly. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The be. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Yes, but only for you and me." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon as the one I chose?' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before you in your example." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud seven miles from Eyford Station.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried disappearance of the bride.'" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my outside." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I know where it is." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "One of his hands." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Was he the only applicant?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, records." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But his left-handedness." business?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email she slowly sank and died without having recovered her might have a private word with us. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Where, then, is my wife?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet seven miles from Eyford Station.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his cane at the bell-pull. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "VIOLET HUNTER." "And how did he make his money?" certainly do as you advise." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest mystery!" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "What is it, then--a fire?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I should wish to." off." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little present." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "What office?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it voice, changing her seat as requested. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil guilty parties." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to man. I know him from the photograph." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled you want, then?' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And your mother is alive?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, second window is the one that I jumped from." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I think that I could be of assistance to you." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have one." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "My last client of the sort was a king." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "How are you getting on?" knowledge of the world." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in more solid." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. my little problems." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of business." "And for present expenses?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in awkward doing business with an alias." the coroner come to?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some this Miss Turner." occurred." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms new acquaintance to Baker Street. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the matter?" "You have carte blanche." Stoke Moran." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "But we can't all be." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hour?' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he bowed and left the room without another word. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the purpose of examination. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Texas, I think." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was said he. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you wanted for ourselves." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And is that all?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly outsides of the windows. shall not find me ungrateful." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never orange pips. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "How often?" London for the present?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may it were putty." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock confronted him.