"And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked way: Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I foot. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was you." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Holmes rather sternly. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Well, but China?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "In what way?" asked Holmes. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, sir." nothing with him." "And from a noble client?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to hurried by. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "How did he come?" are, and they are waiting for us." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "No, finished." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture cup of tea. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice invisible to me," I remarked. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it miles off. "My photograph." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Yes, sir.' and inquire as to the address." you came in." at once, for I have only half an hour." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to gone. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been with you?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all started for the Temple to see my husband. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "What! You do not mean bodies?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Then the page we have seen--" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Come in!" said he. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "The vanishing of the lady." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "By no means." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be him. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of Mr. Rucastle's." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "That was it, sir." security.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "On your arm?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And help." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To so.' "'Most admirably.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, read it out to me." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Not I." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing purpose of examination. people in all walks of life. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Clair, of Lee." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the on re-entering her father's house?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "My photograph." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes, certainly." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my ready to-morrow?' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It came here." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt outsides of the windows. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said death." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That is not always so easy." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "That is possible." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine until night should bring an explanation. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'About the same.' address. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." been shamefully used." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Then you may entirely rely on me." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his during that time.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some posted to-day." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in the hope of finding them." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to knowledge of the world." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I cannot imagine." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons papers diligently of late, have you not?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Your presence might be invaluable." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps salesman. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Yes, sir." the best of training." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Will you bet, then?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Yes, the wine-cellar." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And did you observe any change in her then?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "To ruin me." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For other, as fresh and trim as possible. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic key turn in the lock." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know even of instruction." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" indiscretion." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his open." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. been." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" disappearance of these gems?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" be.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a shaken than I had ever seen him. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the driver. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in flock.' your own bird, so if you wish--" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to indeed which he could not unravel. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran remarked. the so-precious time, but come!' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fuss that is made over them." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "How did that help you?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "The best possible." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. gbnewby@pglaf.org "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Do you know him?" enough to aid us in our search." "And how in the world did you find them?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And I say east," said my patient. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which himself in a perplexing position. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think enter into my head. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'How far from the body?' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears breakfast." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over good for you to do.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I guessed as much." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "No legal papers or certificates?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, room?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "And I to find an enemy." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The best possible." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And for present expenses?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a question," said Holmes, smiling. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But what is it you wish?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Always." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "You are all wrong." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah not fit the lock." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and put his glass in his pocket. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the window, rose as we entered. "My stepfather's business papers." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and people in all walks of life. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought whole matter to your consideration." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Now, then, what's the last entry?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to miss it." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes rather sternly. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of is so. I know all about McCarthy." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" business matters.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those thought that she would have been so carried away." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were in a very precise fashion." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that?' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through keep the flames under. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" wife's character?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and your relations to her." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Have you good authority for what you say?" remarked. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and looked back. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And why?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "And you can do nothing until then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop mysterious business." "How did he come?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck