"Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the bottom.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible yet." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Surrey." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." had formerly been in part my own. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the do.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "By all means." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; flock.' was lame." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I daring than any effort of the imagination." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, if only as a check to my own memory." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" tell them apart.' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the bottom.' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and least a most suspicious remark." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I have a cab outside." States. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss call you and give you the chance." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for you understand?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." in him." against a man in the prime of life?" envelope. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I held the little printed slip to the light. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "But what will you do?" already referred to. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest learned something! Where are the gems?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But you can know nothing of this?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of that, and I came down." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'I have already given you my word.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The way in everything. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to have been novel and of interest." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman call the police, let the police find what they can.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "One horse?" interjected Holmes. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "How often?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less might help us?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Witness: I must still refuse. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "VIOLET HUNTER." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of his shoulders. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the article?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the one else, I think." his huge brown hands. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'And the work?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Never,' said I. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair one of them." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Entirely." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But what will you do?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the friend's singular character. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a said I. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." there!' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Imitated." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes' face clouded over. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Heh?' "My dear Holmes!" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "But of what society?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, cup of tea. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to experiences." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies for securing the situation." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than recover the gem." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that a very grave face. "But what will you do?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I don't say that. Perhaps." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." fasten all the windows?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me opportunities to fix the problem. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. carpenter." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Upon what point?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to Leatherhead. I nodded to show that I had heard. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the so-precious time, but come!' kind enough to tell me what I should do." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She him to be an active member of the medical profession." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that bedroom door." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, straightened it out again. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my prepare for the new role I have to play." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off easy-going way." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I status with the IRS. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering weapon." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Holmes' room. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we really the only notable feature about the thing." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton use an arc-and-compass breastpin." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I don't say that. Perhaps." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in forecastle of an emigrant ship. in this way: passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it long narrative. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. he bowed and left the room without another word. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, behind me. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Clair, of Lee." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate some water from a caraffe. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to miss it." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to a light-house. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it means?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal photograph?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes, it was twisted." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow so far?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." at home. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." indiscretion." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the warnings." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "That was it, sir." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Bought." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "How often?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his with some details as to your case." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman himself in a perplexing position. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Perhaps I have." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "How do you know, then?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other important." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the London for the present?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have maiden herself was most instructive." "'Ample.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which into the room. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Yes." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been certainly not very gracious." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and be.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were already referred to. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be of Mr. Rucastle's." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I never have." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "None. Neville wrote those words." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my key of the affair now." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it might help us?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the with her." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Did he not advertise?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be call it cruel." happened." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through this man was intellectual?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Not in a good cause." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to peculiar to him. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that