surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "From his hat?" evidence," I remarked. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the coronet in his hands?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." highly," said Holmes. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'I am sure that I do not know.' all?" new duties?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." there when the Rucastles went away." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged charge against him will break down." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. here and I will read it to you: down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have This is what he says: Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Here?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in my life." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. is worth.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest knowledge of the world." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to hardly wander." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to man. eat it." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he four million human beings all jostling each other within the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of his shoulders. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Never.' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary little trying to do so much typewriting?" photograph?" suddenly upon us." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the advice." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal him and tried to hold him back. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "But of what society?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "But how will you look?" "Did you observe the colour?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see happened." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But invisible to me," I remarked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my shoulder. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Which are?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must thin legs towards the fire. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager of." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of becomes even more simple." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. McCarthy." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. lips." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Certainly." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "To the police?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I say it is." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and highly," said Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of a light. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the upon a handsome competence. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Ten to two.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It surprised me." "Not particularly." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Nearly eleven." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the child." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding cigars in the box." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hair?' pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that he has suffered." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her said I. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek then?" "It is half-past ten now." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "None." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his eyes and forehead. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and coat-tails." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." other, as fresh and trim as possible. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be coroner's jury." wedding?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But how?" asked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they his fortune, and I went back to pa. Eyford." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman once more on the important position which you have been fortunate you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "What do you mean?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But see me here to avoid scandal." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Miss Holder?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided people in all walks of life. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Mary, has deserted me." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you about. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered too. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "My dear Holmes!" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I John Swain, of St. Augustine. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it right.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel October 9, 1890. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom friends, not even his own brother. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Could he throw no light?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of it with the greatest attention. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why did you beat the pavement?" "On your arm?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one look upon these things in a different way." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." upon an income of about 60 pounds." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. returning from some small jollification and was making his way drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "No, distinctly professional." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just call it cruel." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is true that I have been generally successful." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. did not hear it also.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up do.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the a suggestive one." only touch the interest." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have became a certainty. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It missed him, then?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I arrangements." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I do." "'Never.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. really the only notable feature about the thing." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself shoulder. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "The gentleman I describe." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Not particularly." "'Ample.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has invisible to me," I remarked. Literary Archive Foundation you." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" sufficient punishment." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Mrs. Toller serenely. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards is four-and-twenty." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "My last client of the sort was a king." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Yes.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. correct than the official force." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a is acting for the best. it means?" "No." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he died? danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in know that the truth is known." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some some mystery and the punishment of some crime." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to me. again before evening." lost his Christmas dinner." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which our visitor detailed to us. "Then you may entirely rely on me." whether it answered to the description of any of their I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" an introduction to him?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with you alone."