The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

III. A CASE OF IDENTITY My dear fellow, said Sherlock ol!es as we sa" o# ei"her side of "he fire i# his lod$i#$s a" %aker S"ree", life is i#fi#i"ely s"ra#$er "ha# a#y"hi#$ which "he !i#d of !a# co&ld i#'e#". (e wo&ld #o" dare "o co#cei'e "he "hi#$s which are really !ere co!!o#)laces of e*is"e#ce. If we co&ld fly o&" of "ha" wi#dow ha#d i# ha#d, ho'er o'er "his $rea" ci"y, $e#"ly re!o'e "he roofs, a#d )ee) i# a" "he +&eer "hi#$s which are $oi#$ o#, "he s"ra#$e coi#cide#ces, "he )la##i#$s, "he cross,)&r)oses, "he wo#derf&l chai#s of e'e#"s, worki#$ "hro&$h $e#era"io#s, a#d leadi#$ "o "he !os" outr res&l"s, i" wo&ld !ake all fic"io# wi"h i"s co#'e#"io#ali"ies a#d foresee# co#cl&sio#s !os" s"ale a#d &#)rofi"a-le. A#d ye" I a! #o" co#'i#ced of i", I a#swered. The cases which co!e "o li$h" i# "he )a)ers are, as a r&le, -ald e#o&$h, a#d '&l$ar e#o&$h. (e ha'e i# o&r )olice re)or"s realis! )&shed "o i"s e*"re!e li!i"s, a#d ye" "he res&l" is, i" !&s" -e co#fessed, #ei"her fasci#a"i#$ #or ar"is"ic. A cer"ai# selec"io# a#d discre"io# !&s" -e &sed i# )rod&ci#$ a realis"ic effec", re!arked ol!es. This is wa#"i#$ i# "he )olice re)or", where !ore s"ress is laid, )erha)s, &)o# "he )la"i"&des of "he !a$is"ra"e "ha# &)o# "he de"ails, which "o a# o-ser'er co#"ai# "he 'i"al esse#ce of "he whole !a""er. De)e#d &)o# i", "here is #o"hi#$ so &##a"&ral as "he co!!o#)lace. I s!iled a#d shook !y head. I ca# +&i"e &#ders"a#d yo&r "hi#ki#$ so, I said. Of co&rse, i# yo&r )osi"io# of &#official ad'iser a#d hel)er "o e'ery-ody who is a-sol&"ely )&..led, "hro&$ho&" "hree co#"i#e#"s, yo& are -ro&$h" i# co#"ac" wi"h all "ha" is s"ra#$e a#d -i.arre. %&" here/I )icked &) "he !or#i#$ )a)er fro! "he $ro&#d/le" &s )&" i" "o a )rac"ical "es". ere is "he firs" headi#$ &)o# which I co!e. 0A h&s-a#d1s cr&el"y "o his wife.1 There is half a col&!# of )ri#", -&" I k#ow wi"ho&" readi#$ i" "ha" i" is all )erfec"ly fa!iliar "o !e. There is, of co&rse, "he o"her wo!a#, "he dri#k, "he )&sh, "he -low, "he -r&ise, "he sy!)a"he"ic sis"er or la#dlady. The cr&des" of wri"ers co&ld i#'e#" #o"hi#$ !ore cr&de. I#deed, yo&r e*a!)le is a# &#for"&#a"e o#e for yo&r ar$&!e#", said ol!es, "aki#$ "he )a)er a#d $la#ci#$ his eye dow# i". This is "he D&#das se)ara"io# case, a#d, as i" ha))e#s, I was e#$a$ed i# cleari#$ &) so!e s!all )oi#"s i# co##ec"io# wi"h i". The h&s-a#d was a "ee"o"aler, "here was #o o"her wo!a#, a#d "he co#d&c" co!)lai#ed of was "ha" he had drif"ed i#"o "he ha-i" of wi#di#$ &) e'ery !eal -y "aki#$ o&" his false "ee"h a#d h&rli#$ "he! a" his wife, which, yo& will allow, is #o" a# ac"io# likely "o occ&r "o "he i!a$i#a"io# of "he a'era$e s"ory,"eller. Take a )i#ch of s#&ff, Doc"or, a#d ack#owled$e "ha" I ha'e scored o'er yo& i# yo&r e*a!)le. e held o&" his s#&ff-o* of old $old, wi"h a $rea" a!e"hys" i# "he ce#"re of "he lid. I"s s)le#do&r was i# s&ch co#"ras" "o his ho!ely ways a#d si!)le life "ha" I co&ld #o" hel) co!!e#"i#$ &)o# i". Ah, said he, I for$o" "ha" I had #o" see# yo& for so!e weeks. I" is a li""le so&'e#ir fro! "he 2i#$ of %ohe!ia i# re"&r# for !y assis"a#ce i# "he case of "he Ire#e Adler )a)ers. A#d "he ri#$3 I asked, $la#ci#$ a" a re!arka-le -rillia#" which s)arkled &)o# his fi#$er. I" was fro! "he rei$#i#$ fa!ily of olla#d, "ho&$h "he !a""er i# which I ser'ed "he! was of s&ch delicacy "ha" I ca##o" co#fide i" e'e# "o yo&, who ha'e -ee# $ood e#o&$h "o chro#icle o#e or "wo of !y li""le )ro-le!s. A#d ha'e yo& a#y o# ha#d 4&s" #ow3 I asked wi"h i#"eres". So!e "e# or "wel'e, -&" #o#e which )rese#" a#y fea"&re of i#"eres". They are i!)or"a#", yo& &#ders"a#d, wi"ho&" -ei#$ i#"eres"i#$. I#deed, I ha'e fo&#d "ha" i" is &s&ally i# &#i!)or"a#" !a""ers "ha" "here is a field for "he o-ser'a"io#, a#d for "he +&ick a#alysis of ca&se a#d effec" which $i'es "he char! "o a# i#'es"i$a"io#. The lar$er cri!es are a)" "o -e "he si!)ler, for "he -i$$er "he cri!e "he !ore o-'io&s, as a r&le, is "he !o"i'e. I# "hese cases, sa'e for o#e ra"her i#"rica"e !a""er which has -ee# referred "o !e fro! Marseilles, "here is #o"hi#$ which )rese#"s a#y fea"&res of i#"eres". I" is )ossi-le, howe'er, "ha" I !ay ha'e so!e"hi#$ -e""er -efore 'ery !a#y !i#&"es are o'er, for "his is o#e of !y clie#"s, or I a! !&ch !is"ake#. e had rise# fro! his chair a#d was s"a#di#$ -e"wee# "he )ar"ed -li#ds $a.i#$ dow# i#"o "he d&ll #e&"ral,"i#"ed 5o#do# s"ree". 5ooki#$ o'er his sho&lder, I saw "ha" o# "he )a'e!e#" o))osi"e "here s"ood a lar$e wo!a# wi"h a hea'y f&r -oa ro&#d her #eck, a#d a lar$e c&rli#$ red fea"her i# a -road, -ri!!ed ha" which was "il"ed i# a co+&e""ish D&chess of De'o#shire fashio# o'er her ear. Fro! &#der "his $rea" )a#o)ly she )ee)ed &) i# a #er'o&s, hesi"a"i#$ fashio# a" o&r wi#dows, while her -ody oscilla"ed -ackward a#d forward, a#d her fi#$ers fid$e"ed wi"h her $lo'e -&""o#s. S&dde#ly, wi"h a

)l&#$e, as of "he swi!!er who lea'es "he -a#k, she h&rried across "he road, a#d we heard "he shar) cla#$ of "he -ell. I ha'e see# "hose sy!)"o!s -efore, said ol!es, "hrowi#$ his ci$are""e i#"o "he fire. Oscilla"io# &)o# "he )a'e!e#" always !ea#s a# affaire de coeur. She wo&ld like ad'ice, -&" is #o" s&re "ha" "he !a""er is #o" "oo delica"e for co!!&#ica"io#. A#d ye" e'e# here we !ay discri!i#a"e. (he# a wo!a# has -ee# serio&sly wro#$ed -y a !a# she #o lo#$er oscilla"es, a#d "he &s&al sy!)"o! is a -roke# -ell wire. ere we !ay "ake i" "ha" "here is a lo'e !a""er, -&" "ha" "he !aide# is #o" so !&ch a#$ry as )er)le*ed, or $rie'ed. %&" here she co!es i# )erso# "o resol'e o&r do&-"s. As he s)oke "here was a "a) a" "he door, a#d "he -oy i# -&""o#s e#"ered "o a##o&#ce Miss Mary S&"herla#d, while "he lady herself loo!ed -ehi#d his s!all -lack fi$&re like a f&ll,sailed !ercha#",!a# -ehi#d a "i#y )ilo" -oa". Sherlock ol!es welco!ed her wi"h "he easy co&r"esy for which he was re!arka-le, a#d, ha'i#$ closed "he door a#d -owed her i#"o a# ar!chair, he looked her o'er i# "he !i#&"e a#d ye" a-s"rac"ed fashio# which was )ec&liar "o hi!. Do yo& #o" fi#d, he said, "ha" wi"h yo&r shor" si$h" i" is a li""le "ryi#$ "o do so !&ch "y)ewri"i#$3 I did a" firs", she a#swered, -&" #ow I k#ow where "he le""ers are wi"ho&" looki#$. The#, s&dde#ly realisi#$ "he f&ll )&r)or" of his words, she $a'e a 'iole#" s"ar" a#d looked &), wi"h fear a#d as"o#ish!e#" &)o# her -road, $ood,h&!o&red face. Yo&1'e heard a-o&" !e, Mr. ol!es, she cried, else how co&ld yo& k#ow all "ha"3 Ne'er !i#d, said ol!es, la&$hi#$6 i" is !y -&si#ess "o k#ow "hi#$s. 7erha)s I ha'e "rai#ed !yself "o see wha" o"hers o'erlook. If #o", why sho&ld yo& co!e "o co#s&l" !e3 I ca!e "o yo&, sir, -eca&se I heard of yo& fro! Mrs. E"here$e, whose h&s-a#d yo& fo&#d so easy whe# "he )olice a#d e'eryo#e had $i'e# hi! &) for dead. Oh, Mr. ol!es, I wish yo& wo&ld do as !&ch for !e. I1! #o" rich, -&" s"ill I ha'e a h&#dred a year i# !y ow# ri$h", -esides "he li""le "ha" I !ake -y "he !achi#e, a#d I wo&ld $i'e i" all "o k#ow wha" has -eco!e of Mr. os!er A#$el. (hy did yo& co!e away "o co#s&l" !e i# s&ch a h&rry3 asked Sherlock ol!es, wi"h his fi#$er,"i)s "o$e"her a#d his eyes "o "he ceili#$. A$ai# a s"ar"led look ca!e o'er "he so!ewha" 'ac&o&s face of Miss Mary S&"herla#d. Yes, I did -a#$ o&" of "he ho&se, she said, for i" !ade !e a#$ry "o see "he easy way i# which Mr. (i#di-a#k/"ha" is, !y fa"her/"ook i" all. e wo&ld #o" $o "o "he )olice, a#d he wo&ld #o" $o "o yo&, a#d so a" las", as he wo&ld do #o"hi#$ a#d ke)" o# sayi#$ "ha" "here was #o har! do#e, i" !ade !e !ad, a#d I 4&s" o# wi"h !y "hi#$s a#d ca!e ri$h" away "o yo&. Yo&r fa"her, said ol!es, yo&r s"e)fa"her, s&rely, si#ce "he #a!e is differe#". Yes, !y s"e)fa"her. I call hi! fa"her, "ho&$h i" so&#ds f&##y, "oo, for he is o#ly fi'e years a#d "wo !o#"hs older "ha# !yself. A#d yo&r !o"her is ali'e3 Oh, yes, !o"her is ali'e a#d well. I was#1" -es" )leased, Mr. ol!es, whe# she !arried a$ai# so soo# af"er fa"her1s dea"h, a#d a !a# who was #early fif"ee# years yo&#$er "ha# herself. Fa"her was a )l&!-er i# "he To""e#ha! Co&r" 8oad, a#d he lef" a "idy -&si#ess -ehi#d hi!, which !o"her carried o# wi"h Mr. ardy, "he fore!a#6 -&" whe# Mr. (i#di-a#k ca!e he !ade her sell "he -&si#ess, for he was 'ery s&)erior, -ei#$ a "ra'eller i# wi#es. They $o" 9:;; for "he $oodwill a#d i#"eres", which was#1" #ear as !&ch as fa"her co&ld ha'e $o" if he had -ee# ali'e. I had e*)ec"ed "o see Sherlock ol!es i!)a"ie#" &#der "his ra!-li#$ a#d i#co#se+&e#"ial #arra"i'e, -&", o# "he co#"rary, he had lis"e#ed wi"h "he $rea"es" co#ce#"ra"io# of a""e#"io#. Yo&r ow# li""le i#co!e, he asked, does i" co!e o&" of "he -&si#ess3 Oh, #o, sir. I" is +&i"e se)ara"e a#d was lef" !e -y !y &#cle Ned i# A&ckla#d. I" is i# New <eala#d s"ock, )ayi#$ 9= )er ce#". Two "ho&sa#d fi'e h&#dred )o&#ds was "he a!o&#", -&" I ca# o#ly "o&ch "he i#"eres". Yo& i#"eres" !e e*"re!ely, said ol!es. A#d si#ce yo& draw so lar$e a s&! as a h&#dred a year, wi"h wha" yo& ear# i#"o "he -ar$ai#, yo& #o do&-" "ra'el a li""le a#d i#d&l$e yo&rself i# e'ery way. I -elie'e "ha" a si#$le lady ca# $e" o# 'ery #icely &)o# a# i#co!e of a-o&" >;. I co&ld do wi"h !&ch less "ha# "ha", Mr. ol!es, -&" yo& &#ders"a#d "ha" as lo#$ as I li'e a" ho!e I do#1" wish "o -e a -&rde# "o "he!, a#d so "hey ha'e "he &se of "he !o#ey 4&s" while I a! s"ayi#$ wi"h "he!. Of co&rse, "ha" is o#ly 4&s" for "he "i!e. Mr. (i#di-a#k draws !y i#"eres" e'ery +&ar"er a#d )ays i" o'er "o !o"her, a#d I fi#d "ha" I ca# do )re""y well wi"h wha" I ear# a" "y)ewri"i#$. I" -ri#$s !e "wo)e#ce a shee", a#d I ca# of"e# do fro! fif"ee# "o "we#"y shee"s i# a day. Yo& ha'e !ade yo&r )osi"io# 'ery clear "o !e, said ol!es. This is !y frie#d, Dr. (a"so#, -efore who! yo& ca# s)eak as freely as -efore !yself. 2i#dly "ell &s #ow all a-o&" yo&r co##ec"io# wi"h Mr. os!er A#$el. A fl&sh s"ole o'er Miss S&"herla#d1s face, a#d she )icked #er'o&sly a" "he fri#$e of her 4acke". I !e" hi! firs" a" "he $asfi""ers1 -all, she said. They &sed "o se#d fa"her "icke"s whe# he was ali'e, a#d "he#

af"erwards "hey re!e!-ered &s, a#d se#" "he! "o !o"her. Mr. (i#di-a#k did #o" wish &s "o $o. e #e'er did wish &s "o $o a#ywhere. e wo&ld $e" +&i"e !ad if I wa#"ed so !&ch as "o 4oi# a S&#day, school "rea". %&" "his "i!e I was se" o# $oi#$, a#d I wo&ld $o6 for wha" ri$h" had he "o )re'e#"3 e said "he folk were #o" fi" for &s "o k#ow, whe# all fa"her1s frie#ds were "o -e "here. A#d he said "ha" I had #o"hi#$ fi" "o wear, whe# I had !y )&r)le )l&sh "ha" I had #e'er so !&ch as "ake# o&" of "he drawer. A" las", whe# #o"hi#$ else wo&ld do, he we#" off "o Fra#ce &)o# "he -&si#ess of "he fir!, -&" we we#", !o"her a#d I, wi"h Mr. ardy, who &sed "o -e o&r fore!a#, a#d i" was "here I !e" Mr. os!er A#$el. I s&))ose, said ol!es, "ha" whe# Mr. (i#di-a#k ca!e -ack fro! Fra#ce he was 'ery a##oyed a" yo&r ha'i#$ $o#e "o "he -all. Oh, well, he was 'ery $ood a-o&" i". e la&$hed, I re!e!-er, a#d shr&$$ed his sho&lders, a#d said "here was #o &se de#yi#$ a#y"hi#$ "o a wo!a#, for she wo&ld ha'e her way. I see. The# a" "he $asfi""ers1 -all yo& !e", as I &#ders"a#d, a $e#"le!a# called Mr. os!er A#$el. Yes, sir. I !e" hi! "ha" #i$h", a#d he called #e*" day "o ask if we had $o" ho!e all safe, a#d af"er "ha" we !e" hi!/"ha" is "o say, Mr. ol!es, I !e" hi! "wice for walks, -&" af"er "ha" fa"her ca!e -ack a$ai#, a#d Mr. os!er A#$el co&ld #o" co!e "o "he ho&se a#y !ore. No3 (ell, yo& k#ow fa"her did#1" like a#y"hi#$ of "he sor". e wo&ld#1" ha'e a#y 'isi"ors if he co&ld hel) i", a#d he &sed "o say "ha" a wo!a# sho&ld -e ha))y i# her ow# fa!ily circle. %&" "he#, as I &sed "o say "o !o"her, a wo!a# wa#"s her ow# circle "o -e$i# wi"h, a#d I had #o" $o" !i#e ye". %&" how a-o&" Mr. os!er A#$el3 Did he !ake #o a""e!)" "o see yo&3 (ell, fa"her was $oi#$ off "o Fra#ce a$ai# i# a week, a#d os!er wro"e a#d said "ha" i" wo&ld -e safer a#d -e""er #o" "o see each o"her &#"il he had $o#e. (e co&ld wri"e i# "he !ea#"i!e, a#d he &sed "o wri"e e'ery day. I "ook "he le""ers i# i# "he !or#i#$, so "here was #o #eed for fa"her "o k#ow. (ere yo& e#$a$ed "o "he $e#"le!a# a" "his "i!e3 Oh, yes, Mr. ol!es. (e were e#$a$ed af"er "he firs" walk "ha" we "ook. os!er/Mr. A#$el/was a cashier i# a# office i# 5eade#hall S"ree"/a#d/ (ha" office3 Tha"1s "he wors" of i", Mr. ol!es, I do#1" k#ow. (here did he li'e, "he#3 e sle)" o# "he )re!ises. A#d yo& do#1" k#ow his address3 No/e*ce)" "ha" i" was 5eade#hall S"ree". (here did yo& address yo&r le""ers, "he#3 To "he 5eade#hall S"ree" 7os" Office, "o -e lef" "ill called for. e said "ha" if "hey were se#" "o "he office he wo&ld -e chaffed -y all "he o"her clerks a-o&" ha'i#$ le""ers fro! a lady, so I offered "o "y)ewri"e "he!, like he did his, -&" he wo&ld#1" ha'e "ha", for he said "ha" whe# I wro"e "he! "hey see!ed "o co!e fro! !e, -&" whe# "hey were "y)ewri""e# he always fel" "ha" "he !achi#e had co!e -e"wee# &s. Tha" will 4&s" show yo& how fo#d he was of !e, Mr. ol!es, a#d "he li""le "hi#$s "ha" he wo&ld "hi#k of. I" was !os" s&$$es"i'e, said ol!es. I" has lo#$ -ee# a# a*io! of !i#e "ha" "he li""le "hi#$s are i#fi#i"ely "he !os" i!)or"a#". Ca# yo& re!e!-er a#y o"her li""le "hi#$s a-o&" Mr. os!er A#$el3 e was a 'ery shy !a#, Mr. ol!es. e wo&ld ra"her walk wi"h !e i# "he e'e#i#$ "ha# i# "he dayli$h", for he said "ha" he ha"ed "o -e co#s)ic&o&s. ?ery re"iri#$ a#d $e#"le!a#ly he was. E'e# his 'oice was $e#"le. e1d had "he +&i#sy a#d swolle# $la#ds whe# he was yo&#$, he "old !e, a#d i" had lef" hi! wi"h a weak "hroa", a#d a hesi"a"i#$, whis)eri#$ fashio# of s)eech. e was always well dressed, 'ery #ea" a#d )lai#, -&" his eyes were weak, 4&s" as !i#e are, a#d he wore "i#"ed $lasses a$ai#s" "he $lare. (ell, a#d wha" ha))e#ed whe# Mr. (i#di-a#k, yo&r s"e)fa"her, re"&r#ed "o Fra#ce3 Mr. os!er A#$el ca!e "o "he ho&se a$ai# a#d )ro)osed "ha" we sho&ld !arry -efore fa"her ca!e -ack. e was i# dreadf&l ear#es" a#d !ade !e swear, wi"h !y ha#ds o# "he Tes"a!e#", "ha" wha"e'er ha))e#ed I wo&ld always -e "r&e "o hi!. Mo"her said he was +&i"e ri$h" "o !ake !e swear, a#d "ha" i" was a si$# of his )assio#. Mo"her was all i# his fa'o&r fro! "he firs" a#d was e'e# fo#der of hi! "ha# I was. The#, whe# "hey "alked of !arryi#$ wi"hi# "he week, I -e$a# "o ask a-o&" fa"her6 -&" "hey -o"h said #e'er "o !i#d a-o&" fa"her, -&" 4&s" "o "ell hi! af"erwards, a#d !o"her said she wo&ld !ake i" all ri$h" wi"h hi!. I did#1" +&i"e like "ha", Mr. ol!es. I" see!ed f&##y "ha" I sho&ld ask his lea'e, as he was o#ly a few years older "ha# !e6 -&" I did#1" wa#" "o do a#y"hi#$ o# "he sly, so I wro"e "o fa"her a" %ordea&*, where "he co!)a#y has i"s Fre#ch offices, -&" "he le""er ca!e -ack "o !e o# "he 'ery !or#i#$ of "he weddi#$. I" !issed hi!, "he#3 Yes, sir6 for he had s"ar"ed "o E#$la#d 4&s" -efore i" arri'ed. a@ "ha" was &#for"&#a"e. Yo&r weddi#$ was arra#$ed, "he#, for "he Friday. (as i" "o -e i# ch&rch3 Yes, sir, -&" 'ery +&ie"ly. I" was "o -e a" S". Sa'io&r1s, #ear 2i#$1s Cross, a#d we were "o ha'e

-reakfas" af"erwards a" "he S". 7a#cras o"el. os!er ca!e for &s i# a ha#so!, -&" as "here were "wo of &s he )&" &s -o"h i#"o i" a#d s"e))ed hi!self i#"o a fo&r,wheeler, which ha))e#ed "o -e "he o#ly o"her ca- i# "he s"ree". (e $o" "o "he ch&rch firs", a#d whe# "he fo&r,wheeler dro'e &) we wai"ed for hi! "o s"e) o&", -&" he #e'er did, a#d whe# "he ca-!a# $o" dow# fro! "he -o* a#d looked "here was #o o#e "here@ The ca-!a# said "ha" he co&ld #o" i!a$i#e wha" had -eco!e of hi!, for he had see# hi! $e" i# wi"h his ow# eyes. Tha" was las" Friday, Mr. ol!es, a#d I ha'e #e'er see# or heard a#y"hi#$ si#ce "he# "o "hrow a#y li$h" &)o# wha" -eca!e of hi!. I" see!s "o !e "ha" yo& ha'e -ee# 'ery sha!ef&lly "rea"ed, said ol!es. Oh, #o, sir@ e was "oo $ood a#d ki#d "o lea'e !e so. (hy, all "he !or#i#$ he was sayi#$ "o !e "ha", wha"e'er ha))e#ed, I was "o -e "r&e6 a#d "ha" e'e# if so!e"hi#$ +&i"e &#foresee# occ&rred "o se)ara"e &s, I was always "o re!e!-er "ha" I was )led$ed "o hi!, a#d "ha" he wo&ld clai! his )led$e soo#er or la"er. I" see!ed s"ra#$e "alk for a weddi#$,!or#i#$, -&" wha" has ha))e#ed si#ce $i'es a !ea#i#$ "o i". Mos" cer"ai#ly i" does. Yo&r ow# o)i#io# is, "he#, "ha" so!e &#foresee# ca"as"ro)he has occ&rred "o hi!3 Yes, sir. I -elie'e "ha" he foresaw so!e da#$er, or else he wo&ld #o" ha'e "alked so. A#d "he# I "hi#k "ha" wha" he foresaw ha))e#ed. %&" yo& ha'e #o #o"io# as "o wha" i" co&ld ha'e -ee#3 No#e. O#e !ore +&es"io#. ow did yo&r !o"her "ake "he !a""er3 She was a#$ry, a#d said "ha" I was #e'er "o s)eak of "he !a""er a$ai#. A#d yo&r fa"her3 Did yo& "ell hi!3 Yes6 a#d he see!ed "o "hi#k, wi"h !e, "ha" so!e"hi#$ had ha))e#ed, a#d "ha" I sho&ld hear of os!er a$ai#. As he said, wha" i#"eres" co&ld a#yo#e ha'e i# -ri#$i#$ !e "o "he doors of "he ch&rch, a#d "he# lea'i#$ !e3 Now, if he had -orrowed !y !o#ey, or if he had !arried !e a#d $o" !y !o#ey se""led o# hi!, "here !i$h" -e so!e reaso#, -&" os!er was 'ery i#de)e#de#" a-o&" !o#ey a#d #e'er wo&ld look a" a shilli#$ of !i#e. A#d ye", wha" co&ld ha'e ha))e#ed3 A#d why co&ld he #o" wri"e3 Oh, i" dri'es !e half,!ad "o "hi#k of i", a#d I ca#1" slee) a wi#k a" #i$h". She )&lled a li""le ha#dkerchief o&" of her !&ff a#d -e$a# "o so- hea'ily i#"o i". I shall $la#ce i#"o "he case for yo&, said ol!es, risi#$, a#d I ha'e #o do&-" "ha" we shall reach so!e defi#i"e res&l". 5e" "he wei$h" of "he !a""er res" &)o# !e #ow, a#d do #o" le" yo&r !i#d dwell &)o# i" f&r"her. A-o'e all, "ry "o le" Mr. os!er A#$el 'a#ish fro! yo&r !e!ory, as he has do#e fro! yo&r life. The# yo& do#1" "hi#k I1ll see hi! a$ai#3 I fear #o". The# wha" has ha))e#ed "o hi!3 Yo& will lea'e "ha" +&es"io# i# !y ha#ds. I sho&ld like a# acc&ra"e descri)"io# of hi! a#d a#y le""ers of his which yo& ca# s)are. I ad'er"ised for hi! i# las" Sa"&rday1s Chronicle, said she. ere is "he sli) a#d here are fo&r le""ers fro! hi!. Tha#k yo&. A#d yo&r address3 No. AB 5yo# 7lace, Ca!-erwell. Mr. A#$el1s address yo& #e'er had, I &#ders"a#d. (here is yo&r fa"her1s )lace of -&si#ess3 e "ra'els for (es"ho&se C Mar-a#k, "he $rea" clare" i!)or"ers of Fe#ch&rch S"ree". Tha#k yo&. Yo& ha'e !ade yo&r s"a"e!e#" 'ery clearly. Yo& will lea'e "he )a)ers here, a#d re!e!-er "he ad'ice which I ha'e $i'e# yo&. 5e" "he whole i#cide#" -e a sealed -ook, a#d do #o" allow i" "o affec" yo&r life. Yo& are 'ery ki#d, Mr. ol!es, -&" I ca##o" do "ha". I shall -e "r&e "o os!er. e shall fi#d !e ready whe# he co!es -ack. For all "he )re)os"ero&s ha" a#d "he 'ac&o&s face, "here was so!e"hi#$ #o-le i# "he si!)le fai"h of o&r 'isi"or which co!)elled o&r res)ec". She laid her li""le -&#dle of )a)ers &)o# "he "a-le a#d we#" her way, wi"h a )ro!ise "o co!e a$ai# whe#e'er she !i$h" -e s&!!o#ed. Sherlock ol!es sa" sile#" for a few !i#&"es wi"h his fi#$er"i)s s"ill )ressed "o$e"her, his le$s s"re"ched o&" i# fro#" of hi!, a#d his $a.e direc"ed &)ward "o "he ceili#$. The# he "ook dow# fro! "he rack "he old a#d oily clay )i)e, which was "o hi! as a co&#sellor, a#d, ha'i#$ li" i", he lea#ed -ack i# his chair, wi"h "he "hick -l&e clo&d,wrea"hs s)i##i#$ &) fro! hi!, a#d a look of i#fi#i"e la#$&or i# his face. D&i"e a# i#"eres"i#$ s"&dy, "ha" !aide#, he o-ser'ed. I fo&#d her !ore i#"eres"i#$ "ha# her li""le )ro-le!, which, -y "he way, is ra"her a "ri"e o#e. Yo& will fi#d )arallel cases, if yo& co#s&l" !y i#de*, i# A#do'er i# 1::, a#d "here was so!e"hi#$ of "he sor" a" The a$&e las" year. Old as is "he idea, howe'er, "here were o#e or "wo de"ails which were #ew "o !e. %&" "he !aide# herself was !os" i#s"r&c"i'e.

Yo& a))eared "o read a $ood deal &)o# her which was +&i"e i#'isi-le "o !e, I re!arked. No" i#'isi-le -&" &##o"iced, (a"so#. Yo& did #o" k#ow where "o look, a#d so yo& !issed all "ha" was i!)or"a#". I ca# #e'er -ri#$ yo& "o realise "he i!)or"a#ce of slee'es, "he s&$$es"i'e#ess of "h&!-, #ails, or "he $rea" iss&es "ha" !ay ha#$ fro! a -oo",lace. Now, wha" did yo& $a"her fro! "ha" wo!a#1s a))eara#ce3 Descri-e i". (ell, she had a sla"e,colo&red, -road,-ri!!ed s"raw ha", wi"h a fea"her of a -rickish red. er 4acke" was -lack, wi"h -lack -eads sew# &)o# i", a#d a fri#$e of li""le -lack 4e" or#a!e#"s. er dress was -row#, ra"her darker "ha# coffee colo&r, wi"h a li""le )&r)le )l&sh a" "he #eck a#d slee'es. er $lo'es were $reyish a#d were wor# "hro&$h a" "he ri$h" forefi#$er. er -oo"s I did#1" o-ser'e. She had s!all ro&#d, ha#$i#$ $old earri#$s, a#d a $e#eral air of -ei#$ fairly well,"o,do i# a '&l$ar, co!for"a-le, easy, $oi#$ way. Sherlock ol!es cla))ed his ha#ds sof"ly "o$e"her a#d ch&ckled. 17o# !y word, (a"so#, yo& are co!i#$ alo#$ wo#derf&lly. Yo& ha'e really do#e 'ery well i#deed. I" is "r&e "ha" yo& ha'e !issed e'ery"hi#$ of i!)or"a#ce, -&" yo& ha'e hi" &)o# "he !e"hod, a#d yo& ha'e a +&ick eye for colo&r. Ne'er "r&s" "o $e#eral i!)ressio#s, !y -oy, -&" co#ce#"ra"e yo&rself &)o# de"ails. My firs" $la#ce is always a" a wo!a#1s slee'e. I# a !a# i" is )erha)s -e""er firs" "o "ake "he k#ee of "he "ro&ser. As yo& o-ser'e, "his wo!a# had )l&sh &)o# her slee'es, which is a !os" &sef&l !a"erial for showi#$ "races. The do&-le li#e a li""le a-o'e "he wris", where "he "y)ewri"is" )resses a$ai#s" "he "a-le, was -ea&"if&lly defi#ed. The sewi#$,!achi#e, of "he ha#d "y)e, lea'es a si!ilar !ark, -&" o#ly o# "he lef" ar!, a#d o# "he side of i" far"hes" fro! "he "h&!-, i#s"ead of -ei#$ ri$h" across "he -roades" )ar", as "his was. I "he# $la#ced a" her face, a#d, o-ser'i#$ "he di#" of a )i#ce,#e. a" ei"her side of her #ose, I 'e#"&red a re!ark &)o# shor" si$h" a#d "y)ewri"i#$, which see!ed "o s&r)rise her. I" s&r)rised !e. %&", s&rely, i" was o-'io&s. I was "he# !&ch s&r)rised a#d i#"eres"ed o# $la#ci#$ dow# "o o-ser'e "ha", "ho&$h "he -oo"s which she was weari#$ were #o" &#like each o"her, "hey were really odd o#es6 "he o#e ha'i#$ a sli$h"ly decora"ed "oe,ca), a#d "he o"her a )lai# o#e. O#e was -&""o#ed o#ly i# "he "wo lower -&""o#s o&" of fi'e, a#d "he o"her a" "he firs", "hird, a#d fif"h. Now, whe# yo& see "ha" a yo&#$ lady, o"herwise #ea"ly dressed, has co!e away fro! ho!e wi"h odd -oo"s, half,-&""o#ed, i" is #o $rea" ded&c"io# "o say "ha" she ca!e away i# a h&rry. A#d wha" else3 I asked, kee#ly i#"eres"ed, as I always was, -y !y frie#d1s i#cisi'e reaso#i#$. I #o"ed, i# )assi#$, "ha" she had wri""e# a #o"e -efore lea'i#$ ho!e -&" af"er -ei#$ f&lly dressed. Yo& o-ser'ed "ha" her ri$h" $lo'e was "or# a" "he forefi#$er, -&" yo& did #o" a))are#"ly see "ha" -o"h $lo'e a#d fi#$er were s"ai#ed wi"h 'iole" i#k. She had wri""e# i# a h&rry a#d di))ed her )e# "oo dee). I" !&s" ha'e -ee# "his !or#i#$, or "he !ark wo&ld #o" re!ai# clear &)o# "he fi#$er. All "his is a!&si#$, "ho&$h ra"her ele!e#"ary, -&" I !&s" $o -ack "o -&si#ess, (a"so#. (o&ld yo& !i#d readi#$ !e "he ad'er"ised descri)"io# of Mr. os!er A#$el3 I held "he li""le )ri#"ed sli) "o "he li$h". Missi#$, i" said, o# "he !or#i#$ of "he fo&r"ee#"h, a $e#"le!a# #a!ed os!er A#$el. A-o&" fi'e f". se'e# i#. i# hei$h"6 s"ro#$ly -&il", sallow co!)le*io#, -lack hair, a li""le -ald i# "he ce#"re, -&shy, -lack side,whiskers a#d !o&s"ache6 "i#"ed $lasses, sli$h" i#fir!i"y of s)eech. (as dressed, whe# las" see#, i# -lack frock,coa" faced wi"h silk, -lack wais"coa", $old Al-er" chai#, a#d $rey arris "weed "ro&sers, wi"h -row# $ai"ers o'er elas"ic,sided -oo"s. 2#ow# "o ha'e -ee# e!)loyed i# a# office i# 5eade#hall S"ree". A#y-ody -ri#$i#$/ Tha" will do, said ol!es. As "o "he le""ers, he co#"i#&ed, $la#ci#$ o'er "he!, "hey are 'ery co!!o#)lace. A-sol&"ely #o cl&e i# "he! "o Mr. A#$el, sa'e "ha" he +&o"es %al.ac o#ce. There is o#e re!arka-le )oi#", howe'er, which will #o do&-" s"rike yo&. They are "y)ewri""e#, I re!arked. No" o#ly "ha", -&" "he si$#a"&re is "y)ewri""e#. 5ook a" "he #ea" li""le 0 os!er A#$el1 a" "he -o""o!. There is a da"e, yo& see, -&" #o s&)erscri)"io# e*ce)" 5eade#hall S"ree", which is ra"her 'a$&e. The )oi#" a-o&" "he si$#a"&re is 'ery s&$$es"i'e/i# fac", we !ay call i" co#cl&si'e. Of wha"3 My dear fellow, is i" )ossi-le yo& do #o" see how s"ro#$ly i" -ears &)o# "he case3 I ca##o" say "ha" I do &#less i" were "ha" he wished "o -e a-le "o de#y his si$#a"&re if a# ac"io# for -reach of )ro!ise were i#s"i"&"ed. No, "ha" was #o" "he )oi#". owe'er, I shall wri"e "wo le""ers, which sho&ld se""le "he !a""er. O#e is "o a fir! i# "he Ci"y, "he o"her is "o "he yo&#$ lady1s s"e)fa"her, Mr. (i#di-a#k, aski#$ hi! whe"her he co&ld !ee" &s here a" si* o1clock "o,!orrow e'e#i#$. I" is 4&s" as well "ha" we sho&ld do -&si#ess wi"h "he !ale rela"i'es. A#d #ow, Doc"or, we ca# do #o"hi#$ &#"il "he a#swers "o "hose le""ers co!e, so we !ay )&" o&r li""le )ro-le! &)o# "he shelf for "he i#"eri!. I had had so !a#y reaso#s "o -elie'e i# !y frie#d1s s&-"le )owers of reaso#i#$ a#d e*"raordi#ary

e#er$y i# ac"io# "ha" I fel" "ha" he !&s" ha'e so!e solid $ro&#ds for "he ass&red a#d easy de!ea#o&r wi"h which he "rea"ed "he si#$&lar !ys"ery which he had -ee# called &)o# "o fa"ho!. O#ce o#ly had I k#ow# hi! "o fail, i# "he case of "he 2i#$ of %ohe!ia a#d of "he Ire#e Adler )ho"o$ra)h6 -&" whe# I looked -ack "o "he weird -&si#ess of "he Si$# of Fo&r, a#d "he e*"raordi#ary circ&!s"a#ces co##ec"ed wi"h "he S"&dy i# Scarle", I fel" "ha" i" wo&ld -e a s"ra#$e "a#$le i#deed which he co&ld #o" &#ra'el. I lef" hi! "he#, s"ill )&ffi#$ a" his -lack clay )i)e, wi"h "he co#'ic"io# "ha" whe# I ca!e a$ai# o# "he #e*" e'e#i#$ I wo&ld fi#d "ha" he held i# his ha#ds all "he cl&es which wo&ld lead &) "o "he ide#"i"y of "he disa))eari#$ -ride$roo! of Miss Mary S&"herla#d. A )rofessio#al case of $rea" $ra'i"y was e#$a$i#$ !y ow# a""e#"io# a" "he "i!e, a#d "he whole of #e*" day I was -&sy a" "he -edside of "he s&fferer. I" was #o" &#"il close &)o# si* o1clock "ha" I fo&#d !yself free a#d was a-le "o s)ri#$ i#"o a ha#so! a#d dri'e "o %aker S"ree", half afraid "ha" I !i$h" -e "oo la"e "o assis" a" "he dnouement of "he li""le !ys"ery. I fo&#d Sherlock ol!es alo#e, howe'er, half aslee), wi"h his lo#$, "hi# for! c&rled &) i# "he recesses of his ar!chair. A for!ida-le array of -o""les a#d "es", "&-es, wi"h "he )&#$e#" clea#ly s!ell of hydrochloric acid, "old !e "ha" he had s)e#" his day i# "he che!ical work which was so dear "o hi!. (ell, ha'e yo& sol'ed i"3 I asked as I e#"ered. Yes. I" was "he -is&l)ha"e of -ary"a. No, #o, "he !ys"ery@ I cried. Oh, "ha"@ I "ho&$h" of "he sal" "ha" I ha'e -ee# worki#$ &)o#. There was #e'er a#y !ys"ery i# "he !a""er, "ho&$h, as I said yes"erday, so!e of "he de"ails are of i#"eres". The o#ly draw-ack is "ha" "here is #o law, I fear, "ha" ca# "o&ch "he sco&#drel. (ho was he, "he#, a#d wha" was his o-4ec" i# deser"i#$ Miss S&"herla#d3 The +&es"io# was hardly o&" of !y !o&"h, a#d ol!es had #o" ye" o)e#ed his li)s "o re)ly, whe# we heard a hea'y foo"fall i# "he )assa$e a#d a "a) a" "he door. This is "he $irl1s s"e)fa"her, Mr. Ea!es (i#di-a#k, said ol!es. e has wri""e# "o !e "o say "ha" he wo&ld -e here a" si*. Co!e i#@ The !a# who e#"ered was a s"&rdy, !iddle,si.ed fellow, so!e "hir"y years of a$e, clea#,sha'e#, a#d sallow,ski##ed, wi"h a -la#d, i#si#&a"i#$ !a##er, a#d a )air of wo#derf&lly shar) a#d )e#e"ra"i#$ $rey eyes. e sho" a +&es"io#i#$ $la#ce a" each of &s, )laced his shi#y "o),ha" &)o# "he side-oard, a#d wi"h a sli$h" -ow sidled dow# i#"o "he #eares" chair. Food,e'e#i#$, Mr. Ea!es (i#di-a#k, said ol!es. I "hi#k "ha" "his "y)ewri""e# le""er is fro! yo&, i# which yo& !ade a# a))oi#"!e#" wi"h !e for si* o1clock3 Yes, sir. I a! afraid "ha" I a! a li""le la"e, -&" I a! #o" +&i"e !y ow# !as"er, yo& k#ow. I a! sorry "ha" Miss S&"herla#d has "ro&-led yo& a-o&" "his li""le !a""er, for I "hi#k i" is far -e""er #o" "o wash li#e# of "he sor" i# )&-lic. I" was +&i"e a$ai#s" !y wishes "ha" she ca!e, -&" she is a 'ery e*ci"a-le, i!)&lsi'e $irl, as yo& !ay ha'e #o"iced, a#d she is #o" easily co#"rolled whe# she has !ade &) her !i#d o# a )oi#". Of co&rse, I did #o" !i#d yo& so !&ch, as yo& are #o" co##ec"ed wi"h "he official )olice, -&" i" is #o" )leasa#" "o ha'e a fa!ily !isfor"&#e like "his #oised a-road. %esides, i" is a &seless e*)e#se, for how co&ld yo& )ossi-ly fi#d "his os!er A#$el3 O# "he co#"rary, said ol!es +&ie"ly6 I ha'e e'ery reaso# "o -elie'e "ha" I will s&cceed i# disco'eri#$ Mr. os!er A#$el. Mr. (i#di-a#k $a'e a 'iole#" s"ar" a#d dro))ed his $lo'es. I a! deli$h"ed "o hear i", he said. I" is a c&rio&s "hi#$, re!arked ol!es, "ha" a "y)ewri"er has really +&i"e as !&ch i#di'id&ali"y as a !a#1s ha#dwri"i#$. G#less "hey are +&i"e #ew, #o "wo of "he! wri"e e*ac"ly alike. So!e le""ers $e" !ore wor# "ha# o"hers, a#d so!e wear o#ly o# o#e side. Now, yo& re!ark i# "his #o"e of yo&rs, Mr. (i#di-a#k, "ha" i# e'ery case "here is so!e li""le sl&rri#$ o'er of "he 0e,1 a#d a sli$h" defec" i# "he "ail of "he 0r.1 There are fo&r"ee# o"her charac"eris"ics, -&" "hose are "he !ore o-'io&s. (e do all o&r corres)o#de#ce wi"h "his !achi#e a" "he office, a#d #o do&-" i" is a li""le wor#, o&r 'isi"or a#swered, $la#ci#$ kee#ly a" ol!es wi"h his -ri$h" li""le eyes. A#d #ow I will show yo& wha" is really a 'ery i#"eres"i#$ s"&dy, Mr. (i#di-a#k, ol!es co#"i#&ed. I "hi#k of wri"i#$ a#o"her li""le !o#o$ra)h so!e of "hese days o# "he "y)ewri"er a#d i"s rela"io# "o cri!e. I" is a s&-4ec" "o which I ha'e de'o"ed so!e li""le a""e#"io#. I ha'e here fo&r le""ers which )&r)or" "o co!e fro! "he !issi#$ !a#. They are all "y)ewri""e#. I# each case, #o" o#ly are "he 0e1s1 sl&rred a#d "he 0r1s1 "ailless, -&" yo& will o-ser'e, if yo& care "o &se !y !a$#ifyi#$ le#s, "ha" "he fo&r"ee# o"her charac"eris"ics "o which I ha'e all&ded are "here as well. Mr. (i#di-a#k s)ra#$ o&" of his chair a#d )icked &) his ha". I ca##o" was"e "i!e o'er "his sor" of fa#"as"ic "alk, Mr. ol!es, he said. If yo& ca# ca"ch "he !a#, ca"ch hi!, a#d le" !e k#ow whe# yo& ha'e do#e i". Cer"ai#ly, said ol!es, s"e))i#$ o'er a#d "&r#i#$ "he key i# "he door. I le" yo& k#ow, "he#, "ha" I ha'e ca&$h" hi!@

(ha"@ where3 sho&"ed Mr. (i#di-a#k, "&r#i#$ whi"e "o his li)s a#d $la#ci#$ a-o&" hi! like a ra" i# a "ra). Oh, i" wo#1" do/really i" wo#1", said ol!es s&a'ely. There is #o )ossi-le $e""i#$ o&" of i", Mr. (i#di-a#k. I" is +&i"e "oo "ra#s)are#", a#d i" was a 'ery -ad co!)li!e#" whe# yo& said "ha" i" was i!)ossi-le for !e "o sol'e so si!)le a +&es"io#. Tha"1s ri$h"@ Si" dow# a#d le" &s "alk i" o'er. O&r 'isi"or colla)sed i#"o a chair, wi"h a $has"ly face a#d a $li""er of !ois"&re o# his -row. I"/i"1s #o" ac"io#a-le, he s"a!!ered. I a! 'ery !&ch afraid "ha" i" is #o". %&" -e"wee# o&rsel'es, (i#di-a#k, i" was as cr&el a#d selfish a#d hear"less a "rick i# a )e""y way as e'er ca!e -efore !e. Now, le" !e 4&s" r&# o'er "he co&rse of e'e#"s, a#d yo& will co#"radic" !e if I $o wro#$. The !a# sa" h&ddled &) i# his chair, wi"h his head s&#k &)o# his -reas", like o#e who is &""erly cr&shed. ol!es s"&ck his fee" &) o# "he cor#er of "he !a#"el)iece a#d, lea#i#$ -ack wi"h his ha#ds i# his )ocke"s, -e$a# "alki#$, ra"her "o hi!self, as i" see!ed, "ha# "o &s. The !a# !arried a wo!a# 'ery !&ch older "ha# hi!self for her !o#ey, said he, a#d he e#4oyed "he &se of "he !o#ey of "he da&$h"er as lo#$ as she li'ed wi"h "he!. I" was a co#sidera-le s&!, for )eo)le i# "heir )osi"io#, a#d "he loss of i" wo&ld ha'e !ade a serio&s differe#ce. I" was wor"h a# effor" "o )reser'e i". The da&$h"er was of a $ood, a!ia-le dis)osi"io#, -&" affec"io#a"e a#d war!,hear"ed i# her ways, so "ha" i" was e'ide#" "ha" wi"h her fair )erso#al ad'a#"a$es, a#d her li""le i#co!e, she wo&ld #o" -e allowed "o re!ai# si#$le lo#$. Now her !arria$e wo&ld !ea#, of co&rse, "he loss of a h&#dred a year, so wha" does her s"e)fa"her do "o )re'e#" i"3 e "akes "he o-'io&s co&rse of kee)i#$ her a" ho!e a#d for-iddi#$ her "o seek "he co!)a#y of )eo)le of her ow# a$e. %&" soo# he fo&#d "ha" "ha" wo&ld #o" a#swer fore'er. She -eca!e res"i'e, i#sis"ed &)o# her ri$h"s, a#d fi#ally a##o&#ced her )osi"i'e i#"e#"io# of $oi#$ "o a cer"ai# -all. (ha" does her cle'er s"e)fa"her do "he#3 e co#cei'es a# idea !ore credi"a-le "o his head "ha# "o his hear". (i"h "he co##i'a#ce a#d assis"a#ce of his wife he dis$&ised hi!self, co'ered "hose kee# eyes wi"h "i#"ed $lasses, !asked "he face wi"h a !o&s"ache a#d a )air of -&shy whiskers, s&#k "ha" clear 'oice i#"o a# i#si#&a"i#$ whis)er, a#d do&-ly sec&re o# acco&#" of "he $irl1s shor" si$h", he a))ears as Mr. os!er A#$el, a#d kee)s off o"her lo'ers -y !aki#$ lo'e hi!self. I" was o#ly a 4oke a" firs", $roa#ed o&r 'isi"or. (e #e'er "ho&$h" "ha" she wo&ld ha'e -ee# so carried away. ?ery likely #o". owe'er "ha" !ay -e, "he yo&#$ lady was 'ery decidedly carried away, a#d, ha'i#$ +&i"e !ade &) her !i#d "ha" her s"e)fa"her was i# Fra#ce, "he s&s)icio# of "reachery #e'er for a# i#s"a#" e#"ered her !i#d. She was fla""ered -y "he $e#"le!a#1s a""e#"io#s, a#d "he effec" was i#creased -y "he lo&dly e*)ressed ad!ira"io# of her !o"her. The# Mr. A#$el -e$a# "o call, for i" was o-'io&s "ha" "he !a""er sho&ld -e )&shed as far as i" wo&ld $o if a real effec" were "o -e )rod&ced. There were !ee"i#$s, a#d a# e#$a$e!e#", which wo&ld fi#ally sec&re "he $irl1s affec"io#s fro! "&r#i#$ "owards a#yo#e else. %&" "he dece)"io# co&ld #o" -e ke)" &) fore'er. These )re"e#ded 4o&r#eys "o Fra#ce were ra"her c&!-ro&s. The "hi#$ "o do was clearly "o -ri#$ "he -&si#ess "o a# e#d i# s&ch a dra!a"ic !a##er "ha" i" wo&ld lea'e a )er!a#e#" i!)ressio# &)o# "he yo&#$ lady1s !i#d a#d )re'e#" her fro! looki#$ &)o# a#y o"her s&i"or for so!e "i!e "o co!e. e#ce "hose 'ows of fideli"y e*ac"ed &)o# a Tes"a!e#", a#d he#ce also "he all&sio#s "o a )ossi-ili"y of so!e"hi#$ ha))e#i#$ o# "he 'ery !or#i#$ of "he weddi#$. Ea!es (i#di-a#k wished Miss S&"herla#d "o -e so -o&#d "o os!er A#$el, a#d so &#cer"ai# as "o his fa"e, "ha" for "e# years "o co!e, a" a#y ra"e, she wo&ld #o" lis"e# "o a#o"her !a#. As far as "he ch&rch door he -ro&$h" her, a#d "he#, as he co&ld $o #o far"her, he co#'e#ie#"ly 'a#ished away -y "he old "rick of s"e))i#$ i# a" o#e door of a fo&r,wheeler a#d o&" a" "he o"her. I "hi#k "ha" was "he chai# of e'e#"s, Mr. (i#di-a#k@ O&r 'isi"or had reco'ered so!e"hi#$ of his ass&ra#ce while ol!es had -ee# "alki#$, a#d he rose fro! his chair #ow wi"h a cold s#eer &)o# his )ale face. I" !ay -e so, or i" !ay #o", Mr. ol!es, said he, -&" if yo& are so 'ery shar) yo& o&$h" "o -e shar) e#o&$h "o k#ow "ha" i" is yo& who are -reaki#$ "he law #ow, a#d #o" !e. I ha'e do#e #o"hi#$ ac"io#a-le fro! "he firs", -&" as lo#$ as yo& kee) "ha" door locked yo& lay yo&rself o)e# "o a# ac"io# for assa&l" a#d ille$al co#s"rai#". The law ca##o", as yo& say, "o&ch yo&, said ol!es, &#locki#$ a#d "hrowi#$ o)e# "he door, ye" "here #e'er was a !a# who deser'ed )&#ish!e#" !ore. If "he yo&#$ lady has a -ro"her or a frie#d, he o&$h" "o lay a whi) across yo&r sho&lders. %y Eo'e@ he co#"i#&ed, fl&shi#$ &) a" "he si$h" of "he -i""er s#eer &)o# "he !a#1s face, i" is #o" )ar" of !y d&"ies "o !y clie#", -&" here1s a h&#"i#$ cro) ha#dy, a#d I "hi#k I shall 4&s" "rea" !yself "o/ e "ook "wo swif" s"e)s "o "he whi), -&" -efore he co&ld $ras) i" "here was a wild cla""er of s"e)s &)o# "he s"airs, "he hea'y hall door -a#$ed, a#d fro! "he wi#dow we co&ld see Mr. Ea!es (i#di-a#k r&##i#$ a" "he "o) of his s)eed dow# "he road. There1s a cold,-looded sco&#drel@ said ol!es, la&$hi#$, as he "hrew hi!self dow# i#"o his chair

o#ce !ore. Tha" fellow will rise fro! cri!e "o cri!e &#"il he does so!e"hi#$ 'ery -ad, a#d e#ds o# a $allows. The case has, i# so!e res)ec"s, -ee# #o" e#"irely de'oid of i#"eres". I ca##o" #ow e#"irely see all "he s"e)s of yo&r reaso#i#$, I re!arked. (ell, of co&rse i" was o-'io&s fro! "he firs" "ha" "his Mr. os!er A#$el !&s" ha'e so!e s"ro#$ o-4ec" for his c&rio&s co#d&c", a#d i" was e+&ally clear "ha" "he o#ly !a# who really )rofi"ed -y "he i#cide#", as far as we co&ld see, was "he s"e)fa"her. The# "he fac" "ha" "he "wo !e# were #e'er "o$e"her, -&" "ha" "he o#e always a))eared whe# "he o"her was away, was s&$$es"i'e. So were "he "i#"ed s)ec"acles a#d "he c&rio&s 'oice, which -o"h hi#"ed a" a dis$&ise, as did "he -&shy whiskers. My s&s)icio#s were all co#fir!ed -y his )ec&liar ac"io# i# "y)ewri"i#$ his si$#a"&re, which, of co&rse, i#ferred "ha" his ha#dwri"i#$ was so fa!iliar "o her "ha" she wo&ld reco$#ise e'e# "he s!alles" sa!)le of i". Yo& see all "hese isola"ed fac"s, "o$e"her wi"h !a#y !i#or o#es, all )oi#"ed i# "he sa!e direc"io#. A#d how did yo& 'erify "he!3 a'i#$ o#ce s)o""ed !y !a#, i" was easy "o $e" corro-ora"io#. I k#ew "he fir! for which "his !a# worked. a'i#$ "ake# "he )ri#"ed descri)"io#. I eli!i#a"ed e'ery"hi#$ fro! i" which co&ld -e "he res&l" of a dis$&ise/"he whiskers, "he $lasses, "he 'oice, a#d I se#" i" "o "he fir!, wi"h a re+&es" "ha" "hey wo&ld i#for! !e whe"her i" a#swered "o "he descri)"io# of a#y of "heir "ra'ellers. I had already #o"iced "he )ec&liari"ies of "he "y)ewri"er, a#d I wro"e "o "he !a# hi!self a" his -&si#ess address aski#$ hi! if he wo&ld co!e here. As I e*)ec"ed, his re)ly was "y)ewri""e# a#d re'ealed "he sa!e "ri'ial -&" charac"eris"ic defec"s. The sa!e )os" -ro&$h" !e a le""er fro! (es"ho&se C Mar-a#k, of Fe#ch&rch S"ree", "o say "ha" "he descri)"io# "allied i# e'ery res)ec" wi"h "ha" of "heir e!)loyH, Ea!es (i#di-a#k. Voil tout@ A#d Miss S&"herla#d3 If I "ell her she will #o" -elie'e !e. Yo& !ay re!e!-er "he old 7ersia# sayi#$, 0There is da#$er for hi! who "ake"h "he "i$er c&-, a#d da#$er also for whoso s#a"ches a del&sio# fro! a wo!a#.1 There is as !&ch se#se i# afi. as i# orace, a#d as !&ch k#owled$e of "he world. AD?ENTG8E ?. T E FI?E O8ANFE 7I7S (he# I $la#ce o'er !y #o"es a#d records of "he Sherlock ol!es cases -e"wee# "he years 1IJ a#d 1K;, I a! faced -y so !a#y which )rese#" s"ra#$e a#d i#"eres"i#$ fea"&res "ha" i" is #o easy !a""er "o k#ow which "o choose a#d which "o lea'e. So!e, howe'er, ha'e already $ai#ed )&-lici"y "hro&$h "he )a)ers, a#d o"hers ha'e #o" offered a field for "hose )ec&liar +&ali"ies which !y frie#d )ossessed i# so hi$h a de$ree, a#d which i" is "he o-4ec" of "hese )a)ers "o ill&s"ra"e. So!e, "oo, ha'e -affled his a#aly"ical skill, a#d wo&ld -e, as #arra"i'es, -e$i##i#$s wi"ho&" a# e#di#$, while o"hers ha'e -ee# -&" )ar"ially cleared &), a#d ha'e "heir e*)la#a"io#s fo&#ded ra"her &)o# co#4ec"&re a#d s&r!ise "ha# o# "ha" a-sol&"e lo$ical )roof which was so dear "o hi!. There is, howe'er, o#e of "hese las" which was so re!arka-le i# i"s de"ails a#d so s"ar"li#$ i# i"s res&l"s "ha" I a! "e!)"ed "o $i'e so!e acco&#" of i" i# s)i"e of "he fac" "ha" "here are )oi#"s i# co##ec"io# wi"h i" which #e'er ha'e -ee#, a#d )ro-a-ly #e'er will -e, e#"irely cleared &). The year 1I: f&r#ished &s wi"h a lo#$ series of cases of $rea"er or less i#"eres", of which I re"ai# "he records. A!o#$ !y headi#$s &#der "his o#e "wel'e !o#"hs I fi#d a# acco&#" of "he ad'e#"&re of "he 7aradol Cha!-er, of "he A!a"e&r Me#dica#" Socie"y, who held a l&*&rio&s cl&- i# "he lower 'a&l" of a f&r#i"&re wareho&se, of "he fac"s co##ec"ed wi"h "he loss of "he %ri"ish -ar+&e Sophy Anderson, of "he si#$&lar ad'e#"&res of "he Frice 7a"erso#s i# "he isla#d of Gffa, a#d fi#ally of "he Ca!-erwell )oiso#i#$ case. I# "he la""er, as !ay -e re!e!-ered, Sherlock ol!es was a-le, -y wi#di#$ &) "he dead !a#1s wa"ch, "o )ro'e "ha" i" had -ee# wo&#d &) "wo ho&rs -efore, a#d "ha" "herefore "he deceased had $o#e "o -ed wi"hi# "ha" "i!e/a ded&c"io# which was of "he $rea"es" i!)or"a#ce i# cleari#$ &) "he case. All "hese I !ay ske"ch o&" a" so!e f&"&re da"e, -&" #o#e of "he! )rese#" s&ch si#$&lar fea"&res as "he s"ra#$e "rai# of circ&!s"a#ces which I ha'e #ow "ake# &) !y )e# "o descri-e. I" was i# "he la""er days of Se)"e!-er, a#d "he e+&i#oc"ial $ales had se" i# wi"h e*ce)"io#al 'iole#ce. All day "he wi#d had screa!ed a#d "he rai# had -ea"e# a$ai#s" "he wi#dows, so "ha" e'e# here i# "he hear" of $rea", ha#d,!ade 5o#do# we were forced "o raise o&r !i#ds for "he i#s"a#" fro! "he ro&"i#e of life a#d "o reco$#ise "he )rese#ce of "hose $rea" ele!e#"al forces which shriek a" !a#ki#d "hro&$h "he -ars of his ci'ilisa"io#, like &#"a!ed -eas"s i# a ca$e. As e'e#i#$ drew i#, "he s"or! $rew hi$her a#d lo&der, a#d "he wi#d cried a#d so--ed like a child i# "he chi!#ey. Sherlock ol!es sa" !oodily a" o#e side of "he fire)lace cross,i#de*i#$ his records of cri!e, while I a" "he o"her was dee) i# o#e of Clark 8&ssell1s fi#e sea,s"ories &#"il "he howl of "he $ale fro! wi"ho&" see!ed "o -le#d wi"h "he "e*", a#d "he s)lash of "he rai# "o le#$"he# o&" i#"o "he lo#$ swash of "he sea wa'es. My wife was o# a 'isi" "o her !o"her1s, a#d for a few days I was a dweller o#ce !ore i# !y old +&ar"ers a" %aker S"ree".

(hy, said I, $la#ci#$ &) a" !y co!)a#io#, "ha" was s&rely "he -ell. (ho co&ld co!e "o,#i$h"3 So!e frie#d of yo&rs, )erha)s3 E*ce)" yo&rself I ha'e #o#e, he a#swered. I do #o" e#co&ra$e 'isi"ors. A clie#", "he#3 If so, i" is a serio&s case. No"hi#$ less wo&ld -ri#$ a !a# o&" o# s&ch a day a#d a" s&ch a# ho&r. %&" I "ake i" "ha" i" is !ore likely "o -e so!e cro#y of "he la#dlady1s. Sherlock ol!es was wro#$ i# his co#4ec"&re, howe'er, for "here ca!e a s"e) i# "he )assa$e a#d a "a))i#$ a" "he door. e s"re"ched o&" his lo#$ ar! "o "&r# "he la!) away fro! hi!self a#d "owards "he 'aca#" chair &)o# which a #ewco!er !&s" si". Co!e i#@ said he. The !a# who e#"ered was yo&#$, so!e "wo,a#d,"we#"y a" "he o&"side, well,$roo!ed a#d "ri!ly clad, wi"h so!e"hi#$ of refi#e!e#" a#d delicacy i# his -eari#$. The s"rea!i#$ &!-rella which he held i# his ha#d, a#d his lo#$ shi#i#$ wa"er)roof "old of "he fierce wea"her "hro&$h which he had co!e. e looked a-o&" hi! a#*io&sly i# "he $lare of "he la!), a#d I co&ld see "ha" his face was )ale a#d his eyes hea'y, like "hose of a !a# who is wei$hed dow# wi"h so!e $rea" a#*ie"y. I owe yo& a# a)olo$y, he said, raisi#$ his $olde# )i#ce,#e. "o his eyes. I "r&s" "ha" I a! #o" i#"r&di#$. I fear "ha" I ha'e -ro&$h" so!e "races of "he s"or! a#d rai# i#"o yo&r s#&$ cha!-er. Fi'e !e yo&r coa" a#d &!-rella, said ol!es. They !ay res" here o# "he hook a#d will -e dry )rese#"ly. Yo& ha'e co!e &) fro! "he so&"h,wes", I see. Yes, fro! orsha!. Tha" clay a#d chalk !i*"&re which I see &)o# yo&r "oe ca)s is +&i"e dis"i#c"i'e. I ha'e co!e for ad'ice. Tha" is easily $o". A#d hel). Tha" is #o" always so easy. I ha'e heard of yo&, Mr. ol!es. I heard fro! Ma4or 7re#der$as" how yo& sa'ed hi! i# "he Ta#ker'ille Cl&- sca#dal. Ah, of co&rse. e was wro#$f&lly acc&sed of chea"i#$ a" cards. e said "ha" yo& co&ld sol'e a#y"hi#$. e said "oo !&ch. Tha" yo& are #e'er -ea"e#. I ha'e -ee# -ea"e# fo&r "i!es/"hree "i!es -y !e#, a#d o#ce -y a wo!a#. %&" wha" is "ha" co!)ared wi"h "he #&!-er of yo&r s&ccesses3 I" is "r&e "ha" I ha'e -ee# $e#erally s&ccessf&l. The# yo& !ay -e so wi"h !e. I -e$ "ha" yo& will draw yo&r chair &) "o "he fire a#d fa'o&r !e wi"h so!e de"ails as "o yo&r case. I" is #o ordi#ary o#e. No#e of "hose which co!e "o !e are. I a! "he las" co&r" of a))eal. A#d ye" I +&es"io#, sir, whe"her, i# all yo&r e*)erie#ce, yo& ha'e e'er lis"e#ed "o a !ore !ys"erio&s a#d i#e*)lica-le chai# of e'e#"s "ha# "hose which ha'e ha))e#ed i# !y ow# fa!ily. Yo& fill !e wi"h i#"eres", said ol!es. 7ray $i'e &s "he esse#"ial fac"s fro! "he co!!e#ce!e#", a#d I ca# af"erwards +&es"io# yo& as "o "hose de"ails which see! "o !e "o -e !os" i!)or"a#". The yo&#$ !a# )&lled his chair &) a#d )&shed his we" fee" o&" "owards "he -la.e. My #a!e, said he, is Eoh# O)e#shaw, -&" !y ow# affairs ha'e, as far as I ca# &#ders"a#d, li""le "o do wi"h "his awf&l -&si#ess. I" is a heredi"ary !a""er6 so i# order "o $i'e yo& a# idea of "he fac"s, I !&s" $o -ack "o "he co!!e#ce!e#" of "he affair. Yo& !&s" k#ow "ha" !y $ra#dfa"her had "wo so#s/!y &#cle Elias a#d !y fa"her Eose)h. My fa"her had a s!all fac"ory a" Co'e#"ry, which he e#lar$ed a" "he "i!e of "he i#'e#"io# of -icycli#$. e was a )a"e#"ee of "he O)e#shaw &#-reaka-le "ire, a#d his -&si#ess !e" wi"h s&ch s&ccess "ha" he was a-le "o sell i" a#d "o re"ire &)o# a ha#dso!e co!)e"e#ce. My &#cle Elias e!i$ra"ed "o A!erica whe# he was a yo&#$ !a# a#d -eca!e a )la#"er i# Florida, where he was re)or"ed "o ha'e do#e 'ery well. A" "he "i!e of "he war he fo&$h" i# Eackso#1s ar!y, a#d af"erwards &#der ood, where he rose "o -e a colo#el. (he# 5ee laid dow# his ar!s !y &#cle re"&r#ed "o his )la#"a"io#, where he re!ai#ed for "hree or fo&r years. A-o&" BI>K or BI:; he ca!e -ack "o E&ro)e a#d "ook a s!all es"a"e i# S&sse*, #ear orsha!. e had !ade a 'ery co#sidera-le for"&#e i# "he S"a"es, a#d his reaso# for lea'i#$ "he! was his a'ersio# "o "he #e$roes, a#d his dislike of "he 8e)&-lica# )olicy i# e*"e#di#$ "he fra#chise "o "he!. e was a si#$&lar !a#, fierce a#d +&ick, "e!)ered, 'ery fo&l,!o&"hed whe# he was a#$ry, a#d of a !os" re"iri#$ dis)osi"io#. D&ri#$ all "he years "ha" he li'ed a" orsha!, I do&-" if e'er he se" foo" i# "he "ow#. e had a $arde# a#d "wo or "hree fields ro&#d his ho&se, a#d "here he wo&ld "ake his e*ercise, "ho&$h 'ery of"e# for weeks o# e#d he wo&ld

#e'er lea'e his roo!. e dra#k a $rea" deal of -ra#dy a#d s!oked 'ery hea'ily, -&" he wo&ld see #o socie"y a#d did #o" wa#" a#y frie#ds, #o" e'e# his ow# -ro"her. e did#1" !i#d !e6 i# fac", he "ook a fa#cy "o !e, for a" "he "i!e whe# he saw !e firs" I was a yo&#$s"er of "wel'e or so. This wo&ld -e i# "he year BI:I, af"er he had -ee# ei$h" or #i#e years i# E#$la#d. e -e$$ed !y fa"her "o le" !e li'e wi"h hi! a#d he was 'ery ki#d "o !e i# his way. (he# he was so-er he &sed "o -e fo#d of )layi#$ -ack$a!!o# a#d dra&$h"s wi"h !e, a#d he wo&ld !ake !e his re)rese#"a"i'e -o"h wi"h "he ser'a#"s a#d wi"h "he "rades)eo)le, so "ha" -y "he "i!e "ha" I was si*"ee# I was +&i"e !as"er of "he ho&se. I ke)" all "he keys a#d co&ld $o where I liked a#d do wha" I liked, so lo#$ as I did #o" dis"&r- hi! i# his )ri'acy. There was o#e si#$&lar e*ce)"io#, howe'er, for he had a si#$le roo!, a l&!-er,roo! &) a!o#$ "he a""ics, which was i#'aria-ly locked, a#d which he wo&ld #e'er )er!i" ei"her !e or a#yo#e else "o e#"er. (i"h a -oy1s c&riosi"y I ha'e )ee)ed "hro&$h "he keyhole, -&" I was #e'er a-le "o see !ore "ha# s&ch a collec"io# of old "r&#ks a#d -&#dles as wo&ld -e e*)ec"ed i# s&ch a roo!. O#e day/i" was i# March, BIIA/a le""er wi"h a forei$# s"a!) lay &)o# "he "a-le i# fro#" of "he colo#el1s )la"e. I" was #o" a co!!o# "hi#$ for hi! "o recei'e le""ers, for his -ills were all )aid i# ready !o#ey, a#d he had #o frie#ds of a#y sor". 0Fro! I#dia@1 said he as he "ook i" &), 07o#dicherry )os"!ark@ (ha" ca# "his -e31 O)e#i#$ i" h&rriedly, o&" "here 4&!)ed fi'e li""le dried ora#$e )i)s, which )a""ered dow# &)o# his )la"e. I -e$a# "o la&$h a" "his, -&" "he la&$h was s"r&ck fro! !y li)s a" "he si$h" of his face. is li) had falle#, his eyes were )ro"r&di#$, his ski# "he colo&r of )&""y, a#d he $lared a" "he e#'elo)e which he s"ill held i# his "re!-li#$ ha#d, 02. 2. 2.@1 he shrieked, a#d "he#, 0My Fod, !y Fod, !y si#s ha'e o'er"ake# !e@1 0(ha" is i", &#cle31 I cried. 0Dea"h,1 said he, a#d risi#$ fro! "he "a-le he re"ired "o his roo!, lea'i#$ !e )al)i"a"i#$ wi"h horror. I "ook &) "he e#'elo)e a#d saw scrawled i# red i#k &)o# "he i##er fla), 4&s" a-o'e "he $&!, "he le""er 2 "hree "i!es re)ea"ed. There was #o"hi#$ else sa'e "he fi'e dried )i)s. (ha" co&ld -e "he reaso# of his o'er)oweri#$ "error3 I lef" "he -reakfas","a-le, a#d as I asce#ded "he s"air I !e" hi! co!i#$ dow# wi"h a# old r&s"y key, which !&s" ha'e -elo#$ed "o "he a""ic, i# o#e ha#d, a#d a s!all -rass -o*, like a cash-o*, i# "he o"her. 0They !ay do wha" "hey like, -&" I1ll check!a"e "he! s"ill,1 said he wi"h a# oa"h. 0Tell Mary "ha" I shall wa#" a fire i# !y roo! "o,day, a#d se#d dow# "o Fordha!, "he orsha! lawyer.1 I did as he ordered, a#d whe# "he lawyer arri'ed I was asked "o s"e) &) "o "he roo!. The fire was -&r#i#$ -ri$h"ly, a#d i# "he $ra"e "here was a !ass of -lack, fl&ffy ashes, as of -&r#ed )a)er, while "he -rass -o* s"ood o)e# a#d e!)"y -eside i". As I $la#ced a" "he -o* I #o"iced, wi"h a s"ar", "ha" &)o# "he lid was )ri#"ed "he "re-le 2 which I had read i# "he !or#i#$ &)o# "he e#'elo)e. 0I wish yo&, Eoh#,1 said !y &#cle, 0"o wi"#ess !y will. I lea'e !y es"a"e, wi"h all i"s ad'a#"a$es a#d all i"s disad'a#"a$es, "o !y -ro"her, yo&r fa"her, whe#ce i" will, #o do&-", desce#d "o yo&. If yo& ca# e#4oy i" i# )eace, well a#d $ood@ If yo& fi#d yo& ca##o", "ake !y ad'ice, !y -oy, a#d lea'e i" "o yo&r deadlies" e#e!y. I a! sorry "o $i'e yo& s&ch a "wo,ed$ed "hi#$, -&" I ca#1" say wha" "&r# "hi#$s are $oi#$ "o "ake. 2i#dly si$# "he )a)er where Mr. Fordha! shows yo&.1 I si$#ed "he )a)er as direc"ed, a#d "he lawyer "ook i" away wi"h hi!. The si#$&lar i#cide#" !ade, as yo& !ay "hi#k, "he dee)es" i!)ressio# &)o# !e, a#d I )o#dered o'er i" a#d "&r#ed i" e'ery way i# !y !i#d wi"ho&" -ei#$ a-le "o !ake a#y"hi#$ of i". Ye" I co&ld #o" shake off "he 'a$&e feeli#$ of dread which i" lef" -ehi#d, "ho&$h "he se#sa"io# $rew less kee# as "he weeks )assed a#d #o"hi#$ ha))e#ed "o dis"&r- "he &s&al ro&"i#e of o&r li'es. I co&ld see a cha#$e i# !y &#cle, howe'er. e dra#k !ore "ha# e'er, a#d he was less i#cli#ed for a#y sor" of socie"y. Mos" of his "i!e he wo&ld s)e#d i# his roo!, wi"h "he door locked &)o# "he i#side, -&" so!e"i!es he wo&ld e!er$e i# a sor" of dr&#ke# fre#.y a#d wo&ld -&rs" o&" of "he ho&se a#d "ear a-o&" "he $arde# wi"h a re'ol'er i# his ha#d, screa!i#$ o&" "ha" he was afraid of #o !a#, a#d "ha" he was #o" "o -e coo)ed &), like a shee) i# a )e#, -y !a# or de'il. (he# "hese ho" fi"s were o'er, howe'er, he wo&ld r&sh "&!&l"&o&sly i# a" "he door a#d lock a#d -ar i" -ehi#d hi!, like a !a# who ca# -ra.e# i" o&" #o lo#$er a$ai#s" "he "error which lies a" "he roo"s of his so&l. A" s&ch "i!es I ha'e see# his face, e'e# o# a cold day, $lis"e# wi"h !ois"&re, as "ho&$h i" were #ew raised fro! a -asi#. (ell, "o co!e "o a# e#d of "he !a""er, Mr. ol!es, a#d #o" "o a-&se yo&r )a"ie#ce, "here ca!e a #i$h" whe# he !ade o#e of "hose dr&#ke# sallies fro! which he #e'er ca!e -ack. (e fo&#d hi!, whe# we we#" "o search for hi!, face dow#ward i# a li""le $ree#,sc&!!ed )ool, which lay a" "he foo" of "he $arde#. There was #o si$# of a#y 'iole#ce, a#d "he wa"er was -&" "wo fee" dee), so "ha" "he 4&ry, ha'i#$ re$ard "o his k#ow# ecce#"rici"y, -ro&$h" i# a 'erdic" of 0s&icide.1 %&" I, who k#ew how he wi#ced fro! "he 'ery "ho&$h" of dea"h, had !&ch ado "o )ers&ade !yself "ha" he had $o#e o&" of his way "o !ee" i". The !a""er )assed, howe'er, a#d !y fa"her e#"ered i#"o )ossessio# of "he es"a"e, a#d of so!e B9,;;;, which lay "o his credi" a" "he -a#k.

O#e !o!e#", ol!es i#"er)osed, yo&r s"a"e!e#" is, I foresee, o#e of "he !os" re!arka-le "o which I ha'e e'er lis"e#ed. 5e" !e ha'e "he da"e of "he rece)"io# -y yo&r &#cle of "he le""er, a#d "he da"e of his s&))osed s&icide. The le""er arri'ed o# March B;, BIIA. is dea"h was se'e# weeks la"er, &)o# "he #i$h" of May J#d. Tha#k yo&. 7ray )roceed. (he# !y fa"her "ook o'er "he orsha! )ro)er"y, he, a" !y re+&es", !ade a caref&l e*a!i#a"io# of "he a""ic, which had -ee# always locked &). (e fo&#d "he -rass -o* "here, al"ho&$h i"s co#"e#"s had -ee# des"royed. O# "he i#side of "he co'er was a )a)er la-el, wi"h "he i#i"ials of 2. 2. 2. re)ea"ed &)o# i", a#d 05e""ers, !e!ora#da, recei)"s, a#d a re$is"er1 wri""e# -e#ea"h. These, we )res&!e, i#dica"ed "he #a"&re of "he )a)ers which had -ee# des"royed -y Colo#el O)e#shaw. For "he res", "here was #o"hi#$ of !&ch i!)or"a#ce i# "he a""ic sa'e a $rea" !a#y sca""ered )a)ers a#d #o"e,-ooks -eari#$ &)o# !y &#cle1s life i# A!erica. So!e of "he! were of "he war "i!e a#d showed "ha" he had do#e his d&"y well a#d had -or#e "he re)&"e of a -ra'e soldier. O"hers were of a da"e d&ri#$ "he reco#s"r&c"io# of "he So&"her# s"a"es, a#d were !os"ly co#cer#ed wi"h )oli"ics, for he had e'ide#"ly "ake# a s"ro#$ )ar" i# o))osi#$ "he car)e",-a$ )oli"icia#s who had -ee# se#" dow# fro! "he Nor"h. (ell, i" was "he -e$i##i#$ of 1I9 whe# !y fa"her ca!e "o li'e a" orsha!, a#d all we#" as well as )ossi-le wi"h &s &#"il "he Ea#&ary of 1IL. O# "he fo&r"h day af"er "he #ew year I heard !y fa"her $i'e a shar) cry of s&r)rise as we sa" "o$e"her a" "he -reakfas","a-le. There he was, si""i#$ wi"h a #ewly o)e#ed e#'elo)e i# o#e ha#d a#d fi'e dried ora#$e )i)s i# "he o&"s"re"ched )al! of "he o"her o#e. e had always la&$hed a" wha" he called !y cock,a#d,-&ll s"ory a-o&" "he colo#el, -&" he looked 'ery scared a#d )&..led #ow "ha" "he sa!e "hi#$ had co!e &)o# hi!self. 0(hy, wha" o# ear"h does "his !ea#, Eoh#31 he s"a!!ered. My hear" had "&r#ed "o lead. 0I" is 2. 2. 2.,1 said I. e looked i#side "he e#'elo)e. 0So i" is,1 he cried. 0 ere are "he 'ery le""ers. %&" wha" is "his wri""e# a-o'e "he!31 07&" "he )a)ers o# "he s&#dial,1 I read, )ee)i#$ o'er his sho&lder. 0(ha" )a)ers3 (ha" s&#dial31 he asked. 0The s&#dial i# "he $arde#. There is #o o"her,1 said I6 0-&" "he )a)ers !&s" -e "hose "ha" are des"royed.1 07ooh@1 said he, $ri))i#$ hard a" his co&ra$e. 0(e are i# a ci'ilised la#d here, a#d we ca#1" ha'e "o!foolery of "his ki#d. (here does "he "hi#$ co!e fro!31 0Fro! D&#dee,1 I a#swered, $la#ci#$ a" "he )os"!ark. 0So!e )re)os"ero&s )rac"ical 4oke,1 said he. 0(ha" ha'e I "o do wi"h s&#dials a#d )a)ers3 I shall "ake #o #o"ice of s&ch #o#se#se.1 0I sho&ld cer"ai#ly s)eak "o "he )olice,1 I said. 0A#d -e la&$hed a" for !y )ai#s. No"hi#$ of "he sor".1 0The# le" !e do so31 0No, I for-id yo&. I wo#1" ha'e a f&ss !ade a-o&" s&ch #o#se#se.1 I" was i# 'ai# "o ar$&e wi"h hi!, for he was a 'ery o-s"i#a"e !a#. I we#" a-o&", howe'er, wi"h a hear" which was f&ll of fore-odi#$s. O# "he "hird day af"er "he co!i#$ of "he le""er !y fa"her we#" fro! ho!e "o 'isi" a# old frie#d of his, Ma4or Free-ody, who is i# co!!a#d of o#e of "he for"s &)o# 7or"sdow# ill. I was $lad "ha" he sho&ld $o, for i" see!ed "o !e "ha" he was far"her fro! da#$er whe# he was away fro! ho!e. I# "ha", howe'er, I was i# error. G)o# "he seco#d day of his a-se#ce I recei'ed a "ele$ra! fro! "he !a4or, i!)lori#$ !e "o co!e a" o#ce. My fa"her had falle# o'er o#e of "he dee) chalk,)i"s which a-o&#d i# "he #ei$h-o&rhood, a#d was lyi#$ se#seless, wi"h a sha""ered sk&ll. I h&rried "o hi!, -&" he )assed away wi"ho&" ha'i#$ e'er reco'ered his co#scio&s#ess. e had, as i" a))ears, -ee# re"&r#i#$ fro! Fareha! i# "he "wili$h", a#d as "he co&#"ry was &#k#ow# "o hi!, a#d "he chalk,)i" &#fe#ced, "he 4&ry had #o hesi"a"io# i# -ri#$i#$ i# a 'erdic" of 0dea"h fro! accide#"al ca&ses.1 Caref&lly as I e*a!i#ed e'ery fac" co##ec"ed wi"h his dea"h, I was &#a-le "o fi#d a#y"hi#$ which co&ld s&$$es" "he idea of !&rder. There were #o si$#s of 'iole#ce, #o foo"!arks, #o ro--ery, #o record of s"ra#$ers ha'i#$ -ee# see# &)o# "he roads. A#d ye" I #eed #o" "ell yo& "ha" !y !i#d was far fro! a" ease, a#d "ha" I was well,#i$h cer"ai# "ha" so!e fo&l )lo" had -ee# wo'e# ro&#d hi!. I# "his si#is"er way I ca!e i#"o !y i#heri"a#ce. Yo& will ask !e why I did #o" dis)ose of i"3 I a#swer, -eca&se I was well co#'i#ced "ha" o&r "ro&-les were i# so!e way de)e#de#" &)o# a# i#cide#" i# !y &#cle1s life, a#d "ha" "he da#$er wo&ld -e as )ressi#$ i# o#e ho&se as i# a#o"her. I" was i# Ea#&ary, 1IL, "ha" !y )oor fa"her !e" his e#d, a#d "wo years a#d ei$h" !o#"hs ha'e ela)sed si#ce "he#. D&ri#$ "ha" "i!e I ha'e li'ed ha))ily a" orsha!, a#d I had -e$&# "o ho)e "ha" "his c&rse had )assed away fro! "he fa!ily, a#d "ha" i" had e#ded wi"h "he las" $e#era"io#. I had -e$&# "o "ake co!for" "oo soo#, howe'er6 yes"erday !or#i#$ "he -low fell i# "he 'ery sha)e i# which i" had co!e &)o# !y fa"her.

The yo&#$ !a# "ook fro! his wais"coa" a cr&!)led e#'elo)e, a#d "&r#i#$ "o "he "a-le he shook o&" &)o# i" fi'e li""le dried ora#$e )i)s. This is "he e#'elo)e, he co#"i#&ed. The )os"!ark is 5o#do#/eas"er# di'isio#. (i"hi# are "he 'ery words which were &)o# !y fa"her1s las" !essa$eM 02. 2. 2.16 a#d "he# 07&" "he )a)ers o# "he s&#dial.1 (ha" ha'e yo& do#e3 asked ol!es. No"hi#$. No"hi#$3 To "ell "he "r&"h/he sa#k his face i#"o his "hi#, whi"e ha#ds/I ha'e fel" hel)less. I ha'e fel" like o#e of "hose )oor ra--i"s whe# "he s#ake is wri"hi#$ "owards i". I see! "o -e i# "he $ras) of so!e resis"less, i#e*ora-le e'il, which #o foresi$h" a#d #o )reca&"io#s ca# $&ard a$ai#s". T&"@ "&"@ cried Sherlock ol!es. Yo& !&s" ac", !a#, or yo& are los". No"hi#$ -&" e#er$y ca# sa'e yo&. This is #o "i!e for des)air. I ha'e see# "he )olice. Ah@ %&" "hey lis"e#ed "o !y s"ory wi"h a s!ile. I a! co#'i#ced "ha" "he i#s)ec"or has for!ed "he o)i#io# "ha" "he le""ers are all )rac"ical 4okes, a#d "ha" "he dea"hs of !y rela"io#s were really accide#"s, as "he 4&ry s"a"ed, a#d were #o" "o -e co##ec"ed wi"h "he war#i#$s. ol!es shook his cle#ched ha#ds i# "he air. I#credi-le i!-ecili"y@ he cried. They ha'e, howe'er, allowed !e a )olice!a#, who !ay re!ai# i# "he ho&se wi"h !e. as he co!e wi"h yo& "o,#i$h"3 No. is orders were "o s"ay i# "he ho&se. A$ai# ol!es ra'ed i# "he air. (hy did yo& co!e "o !e, he cried, a#d, a-o'e all, why did yo& #o" co!e a" o#ce3 I did #o" k#ow. I" was o#ly "o,day "ha" I s)oke "o Ma4or 7re#der$as" a-o&" !y "ro&-les a#d was ad'ised -y hi! "o co!e "o yo&. I" is really "wo days si#ce yo& had "he le""er. (e sho&ld ha'e ac"ed -efore "his. Yo& ha'e #o f&r"her e'ide#ce, I s&))ose, "ha# "ha" which yo& ha'e )laced -efore &s/#o s&$$es"i'e de"ail which !i$h" hel) &s3 There is o#e "hi#$, said Eoh# O)e#shaw. e r&!!a$ed i# his coa" )ocke", a#d, drawi#$ o&" a )iece of discolo&red, -l&e,"i#"ed )a)er, he laid i" o&" &)o# "he "a-le. I ha'e so!e re!e!-ra#ce, said he, "ha" o# "he day whe# !y &#cle -&r#ed "he )a)ers I o-ser'ed "ha" "he s!all, &#-&r#ed !ar$i#s which lay a!id "he ashes were of "his )ar"ic&lar colo&r. I fo&#d "his si#$le shee" &)o# "he floor of his roo!, a#d I a! i#cli#ed "o "hi#k "ha" i" !ay -e o#e of "he )a)ers which has, )erha)s, fl&""ered o&" fro! a!o#$ "he o"hers, a#d i# "ha" way has esca)ed des"r&c"io#. %eyo#d "he !e#"io# of )i)s, I do #o" see "ha" i" hel)s &s !&ch. I "hi#k !yself "ha" i" is a )a$e fro! so!e )ri'a"e diary. The wri"i#$ is &#do&-"edly !y &#cle1s. ol!es !o'ed "he la!), a#d we -o"h -e#" o'er "he shee" of )a)er, which showed -y i"s ra$$ed ed$e "ha" i" had i#deed -ee# "or# fro! a -ook. I" was headed, March, BI>K, a#d -e#ea"h were "he followi#$ e#i$!a"ical #o"icesM 9"h. &dso# ca!e. Sa!e old )la"for!. :"h. Se" "he )i)s o# McCa&ley, 7ara!ore, a#d Eoh# Swai#, of S". A&$&s"i#e. K"h. McCa&ley cleared. B;"h. Eoh# Swai# cleared. BJ"h. ?isi"ed 7ara!ore. All well. Tha#k yo&@ said ol!es, foldi#$ &) "he )a)er a#d re"&r#i#$ i" "o o&r 'isi"or. A#d #ow yo& !&s" o# #o acco&#" lose a#o"her i#s"a#". (e ca##o" s)are "i!e e'e# "o disc&ss wha" yo& ha'e "old !e. Yo& !&s" $e" ho!e i#s"a#"ly a#d ac". (ha" shall I do3 There is -&" o#e "hi#$ "o do. I" !&s" -e do#e a" o#ce. Yo& !&s" )&" "his )iece of )a)er which yo& ha'e show# &s i#"o "he -rass -o* which yo& ha'e descri-ed. Yo& !&s" also )&" i# a #o"e "o say "ha" all "he o"her )a)ers were -&r#ed -y yo&r &#cle, a#d "ha" "his is "he o#ly o#e which re!ai#s. Yo& !&s" asser" "ha" i# s&ch words as will carry co#'ic"io# wi"h "he!. a'i#$ do#e "his, yo& !&s" a" o#ce )&" "he -o* o&" &)o# "he s&#dial, as direc"ed. Do yo& &#ders"a#d3 E#"irely. Do #o" "hi#k of re'e#$e, or a#y"hi#$ of "he sor", a" )rese#". I "hi#k "ha" we !ay $ai# "ha" -y !ea#s of "he law6 -&" we ha'e o&r we- "o wea'e, while "heirs is already wo'e#. The firs" co#sidera"io# is "o re!o'e "he )ressi#$ da#$er which "hrea"e#s yo&. The seco#d is "o clear &) "he !ys"ery a#d "o )&#ish "he $&il"y )ar"ies. I "ha#k yo&, said "he yo&#$ !a#, risi#$ a#d )&lli#$ o# his o'ercoa". Yo& ha'e $i'e# !e fresh life a#d

ho)e. I shall cer"ai#ly do as yo& ad'ise. Do #o" lose a# i#s"a#". A#d, a-o'e all, "ake care of yo&rself i# "he !ea#while, for I do #o" "hi#k "ha" "here ca# -e a do&-" "ha" yo& are "hrea"e#ed -y a 'ery real a#d i!!i#e#" da#$er. ow do yo& $o -ack3 %y "rai# fro! (a"erloo. I" is #o" ye" #i#e. The s"ree"s will -e crowded, so I "r&s" "ha" yo& !ay -e i# safe"y. A#d ye" yo& ca##o" $&ard yo&rself "oo closely. I a! ar!ed. Tha" is well. To,!orrow I shall se" "o work &)o# yo&r case. I shall see yo& a" orsha!, "he#3 No, yo&r secre" lies i# 5o#do#. I" is "here "ha" I shall seek i". The# I shall call &)o# yo& i# a day, or i# "wo days, wi"h #ews as "o "he -o* a#d "he )a)ers. I shall "ake yo&r ad'ice i# e'ery )ar"ic&lar. e shook ha#ds wi"h &s a#d "ook his lea'e. O&"side "he wi#d s"ill screa!ed a#d "he rai# s)lashed a#d )a""ered a$ai#s" "he wi#dows. This s"ra#$e, wild s"ory see!ed "o ha'e co!e "o &s fro! a!id "he !ad ele!e#"s/-low# i# &)o# &s like a shee" of sea,weed i# a $ale/ a#d #ow "o ha'e -ee# rea-sor-ed -y "he! o#ce !ore. Sherlock ol!es sa" for so!e "i!e i# sile#ce, wi"h his head s&#k forward a#d his eyes -e#" &)o# "he red $low of "he fire. The# he li" his )i)e, a#d lea#i#$ -ack i# his chair he wa"ched "he -l&e s!oke,ri#$s as "hey chased each o"her &) "o "he ceili#$. I "hi#k, (a"so#, he re!arked a" las", "ha" of all o&r cases we ha'e had #o#e !ore fa#"as"ic "ha# "his. Sa'e, )erha)s, "he Si$# of Fo&r. (ell, yes. Sa'e, )erha)s, "ha". A#d ye" "his Eoh# O)e#shaw see!s "o !e "o -e walki#$ a!id e'e# $rea"er )erils "ha# did "he Shol"os. %&" ha'e yo&, I asked, for!ed a#y defi#i"e co#ce)"io# as "o wha" "hese )erils are3 There ca# -e #o +&es"io# as "o "heir #a"&re, he a#swered. The# wha" are "hey3 (ho is "his 2. 2. 2., a#d why does he )&rs&e "his &#ha))y fa!ily3 Sherlock ol!es closed his eyes a#d )laced his el-ows &)o# "he ar!s of his chair, wi"h his fi#$er,"i)s "o$e"her. The ideal reaso#er, he re!arked, wo&ld, whe# he had o#ce -ee# show# a si#$le fac" i# all i"s -eari#$s, ded&ce fro! i" #o" o#ly all "he chai# of e'e#"s which led &) "o i" -&" also all "he res&l"s which wo&ld follow fro! i". As C&'ier co&ld correc"ly descri-e a whole a#i!al -y "he co#"e!)la"io# of a si#$le -o#e, so "he o-ser'er who has "horo&$hly &#ders"ood o#e li#k i# a series of i#cide#"s sho&ld -e a-le "o acc&ra"ely s"a"e all "he o"her o#es, -o"h -efore a#d af"er. (e ha'e #o" ye" $ras)ed "he res&l"s which "he reaso# alo#e ca# a""ai# "o. 7ro-le!s !ay -e sol'ed i# "he s"&dy which ha'e -affled all "hose who ha'e so&$h" a sol&"io# -y "he aid of "heir se#ses. To carry "he ar", howe'er, "o i"s hi$hes" )i"ch, i" is #ecessary "ha" "he reaso#er sho&ld -e a-le "o &"ilise all "he fac"s which ha'e co!e "o his k#owled$e6 a#d "his i# i"self i!)lies, as yo& will readily see, a )ossessio# of all k#owled$e, which, e'e# i# "hese days of free ed&ca"io# a#d e#cyclo)aedias, is a so!ewha" rare acco!)lish!e#". I" is #o" so i!)ossi-le, howe'er, "ha" a !a# sho&ld )ossess all k#owled$e which is likely "o -e &sef&l "o hi! i# his work, a#d "his I ha'e e#dea'o&red i# !y case "o do. If I re!e!-er ri$h"ly, yo& o# o#e occasio#, i# "he early days of o&r frie#dshi), defi#ed !y li!i"s i# a 'ery )recise fashio#. Yes, I a#swered, la&$hi#$. I" was a si#$&lar doc&!e#". 7hiloso)hy, as"ro#o!y, a#d )oli"ics were !arked a" .ero, I re!e!-er. %o"a#y 'aria-le, $eolo$y )rofo&#d as re$ards "he !&d,s"ai#s fro! a#y re$io# wi"hi# fif"y !iles of "ow#, che!is"ry ecce#"ric, a#a"o!y &#sys"e!a"ic, se#sa"io#al li"era"&re a#d cri!e records &#i+&e, 'ioli#,)layer, -o*er, swords!a#, lawyer, a#d self,)oiso#er -y cocai#e a#d "o-acco. Those, I "hi#k, were "he !ai# )oi#"s of !y a#alysis. ol!es $ri##ed a" "he las" i"e!. (ell, he said, I say #ow, as I said "he#, "ha" a !a# sho&ld kee) his li""le -rai#,a""ic s"ocked wi"h all "he f&r#i"&re "ha" he is likely "o &se, a#d "he res" he ca# )&" away i# "he l&!-er,roo! of his li-rary, where he ca# $e" i" if he wa#"s i". Now, for s&ch a case as "he o#e which has -ee# s&-!i""ed "o &s "o,#i$h", we #eed cer"ai#ly "o !&s"er all o&r reso&rces. 2i#dly ha#d !e dow# "he le""er 2 of "he American Encyclopaedia which s"a#ds &)o# "he shelf -eside yo&. Tha#k yo&. Now le" &s co#sider "he si"&a"io# a#d see wha" !ay -e ded&ced fro! i". I# "he firs" )lace, we !ay s"ar" wi"h a s"ro#$ )res&!)"io# "ha" Colo#el O)e#shaw had so!e 'ery s"ro#$ reaso# for lea'i#$ A!erica. Me# a" his "i!e of life do #o" cha#$e all "heir ha-i"s a#d e*cha#$e willi#$ly "he char!i#$ cli!a"e of Florida for "he lo#ely life of a# E#$lish )ro'i#cial "ow#. is e*"re!e lo'e of soli"&de i# E#$la#d s&$$es"s "he idea "ha" he was i# fear of so!eo#e or so!e"hi#$, so we !ay ass&!e as a worki#$ hy)o"hesis "ha" i" was fear of so!eo#e or so!e"hi#$ which dro'e hi! fro! A!erica. As "o wha" i" was he feared, we ca# o#ly ded&ce "ha" -y co#sideri#$ "he for!ida-le le""ers which were recei'ed -y hi!self a#d his s&ccessors. Did yo& re!ark "he )os"!arks of "hose le""ers3 The firs" was fro! 7o#dicherry, "he seco#d fro! D&#dee, a#d "he "hird fro! 5o#do#. Fro! Eas" 5o#do#. (ha" do yo& ded&ce fro! "ha"3

They are all sea)or"s. Tha" "he wri"er was o# -oard of a shi). E*celle#". (e ha'e already a cl&e. There ca# -e #o do&-" "ha" "he )ro-a-ili"y/"he s"ro#$ )ro-a-ili"y/ is "ha" "he wri"er was o# -oard of a shi). A#d #ow le" &s co#sider a#o"her )oi#". I# "he case of 7o#dicherry, se'e# weeks ela)sed -e"wee# "he "hrea" a#d i"s f&lfil!e#", i# D&#dee i" was o#ly so!e "hree or fo&r days. Does "ha" s&$$es" a#y"hi#$3 A $rea"er dis"a#ce "o "ra'el. %&" "he le""er had also a $rea"er dis"a#ce "o co!e. The# I do #o" see "he )oi#". There is a" leas" a )res&!)"io# "ha" "he 'essel i# which "he !a# or !e# are is a saili#$,shi). I" looks as if "hey always se#d "heir si#$&lar war#i#$ or "oke# -efore "he! whe# s"ar"i#$ &)o# "heir !issio#. Yo& see how +&ickly "he deed followed "he si$# whe# i" ca!e fro! D&#dee. If "hey had co!e fro! 7o#dicherry i# a s"ea!er "hey wo&ld ha'e arri'ed al!os" as soo# as "heir le""er. %&", as a !a""er of fac", se'e# weeks ela)sed. I "hi#k "ha" "hose se'e# weeks re)rese#"ed "he differe#ce -e"wee# "he !ail,-oa" which -ro&$h" "he le""er a#d "he saili#$ 'essel which -ro&$h" "he wri"er. I" is )ossi-le. More "ha# "ha". I" is )ro-a-le. A#d #ow yo& see "he deadly &r$e#cy of "his #ew case, a#d why I &r$ed yo&#$ O)e#shaw "o ca&"io#. The -low has always falle# a" "he e#d of "he "i!e which i" wo&ld "ake "he se#ders "o "ra'el "he dis"a#ce. %&" "his o#e co!es fro! 5o#do#, a#d "herefore we ca##o" co&#" &)o# delay. Food Fod@ I cried. (ha" ca# i" !ea#, "his rele#"less )ersec&"io#3 The )a)ers which O)e#shaw carried are o-'io&sly of 'i"al i!)or"a#ce "o "he )erso# or )erso#s i# "he saili#$,shi). I "hi#k "ha" i" is +&i"e clear "ha" "here !&s" -e !ore "ha# o#e of "he!. A si#$le !a# co&ld #o" ha'e carried o&" "wo dea"hs i# s&ch a way as "o decei'e a coro#er1s 4&ry. There !&s" ha'e -ee# se'eral i# i", a#d "hey !&s" ha'e -ee# !e# of reso&rce a#d de"er!i#a"io#. Their )a)ers "hey !ea# "o ha'e, -e "he holder of "he! who i" !ay. I# "his way yo& see 2. 2. 2. ceases "o -e "he i#i"ials of a# i#di'id&al a#d -eco!es "he -ad$e of a socie"y. %&" of wha" socie"y3 a'e yo& #e'er/ said Sherlock ol!es, -e#di#$ forward a#d si#ki#$ his 'oice/ha'e yo& #e'er heard of "he 2& 2l&* 2la#3 I #e'er ha'e. ol!es "&r#ed o'er "he lea'es of "he -ook &)o# his k#ee. ere i" is, said he )rese#"lyM 02& 2l&* 2la#. A #a!e deri'ed fro! "he fa#cif&l rese!-la#ce "o "he so&#d )rod&ced -y cocki#$ a rifle. This "erri-le secre" socie"y was for!ed -y so!e e*,Co#federa"e soldiers i# "he So&"her# s"a"es af"er "he Ci'il (ar, a#d i" ra)idly for!ed local -ra#ches i# differe#" )ar"s of "he co&#"ry, #o"a-ly i# Te##essee, 5o&isia#a, "he Caroli#as, Feor$ia, a#d Florida. I"s )ower was &sed for )oli"ical )&r)oses, )ri#ci)ally for "he "errorisi#$ of "he #e$ro 'o"ers a#d "he !&rderi#$ a#d dri'i#$ fro! "he co&#"ry of "hose who were o))osed "o i"s 'iews. I"s o&"ra$es were &s&ally )receded -y a war#i#$ se#" "o "he !arked !a# i# so!e fa#"as"ic -&" $e#erally reco$#ised sha)e/a s)ri$ of oak,lea'es i# so!e )ar"s, !elo# seeds or ora#$e )i)s i# o"hers. O# recei'i#$ "his "he 'ic"i! !i$h" ei"her o)e#ly a-4&re his for!er ways, or !i$h" fly fro! "he co&#"ry. If he -ra'ed "he !a""er o&", dea"h wo&ld &#faili#$ly co!e &)o# hi!, a#d &s&ally i# so!e s"ra#$e a#d &#foresee# !a##er. So )erfec" was "he or$a#isa"io# of "he socie"y, a#d so sys"e!a"ic i"s !e"hods, "ha" "here is hardly a case &)o# record where a#y !a# s&cceeded i# -ra'i#$ i" wi"h i!)&#i"y, or i# which a#y of i"s o&"ra$es were "raced ho!e "o "he )er)e"ra"ors. For so!e years "he or$a#isa"io# flo&rished i# s)i"e of "he effor"s of "he G#i"ed S"a"es $o'er#!e#" a#d of "he -e""er classes of "he co!!&#i"y i# "he So&"h. E'e#"&ally, i# "he year BI>K, "he !o'e!e#" ra"her s&dde#ly colla)sed, al"ho&$h "here ha'e -ee# s)oradic o&"-reaks of "he sa!e sor" si#ce "ha" da"e.1 Yo& will o-ser'e, said ol!es, layi#$ dow# "he 'ol&!e, "ha" "he s&dde# -reaki#$ &) of "he socie"y was coi#cide#" wi"h "he disa))eara#ce of O)e#shaw fro! A!erica wi"h "heir )a)ers. I" !ay well ha'e -ee# ca&se a#d effec". I" is #o wo#der "ha" he a#d his fa!ily ha'e so!e of "he !ore i!)laca-le s)iri"s &)o# "heir "rack. Yo& ca# &#ders"a#d "ha" "his re$is"er a#d diary !ay i!)lica"e so!e of "he firs" !e# i# "he So&"h, a#d "ha" "here !ay -e !a#y who will #o" slee) easy a" #i$h" &#"il i" is reco'ered. The# "he )a$e we ha'e see#/ Is s&ch as we !i$h" e*)ec". I" ra#, if I re!e!-er ri$h", 0se#" "he )i)s "o A, %, a#d C1/"ha" is, se#" "he socie"y1s war#i#$ "o "he!. The# "here are s&ccessi'e e#"ries "ha" A a#d % cleared, or lef" "he co&#"ry, a#d fi#ally "ha" C was 'isi"ed, wi"h, I fear, a si#is"er res&l" for C. (ell, I "hi#k, Doc"or, "ha" we !ay le" so!e li$h" i#"o "his dark )lace, a#d I -elie'e "ha" "he o#ly cha#ce yo&#$ O)e#shaw has i# "he !ea#"i!e is "o do wha" I ha'e "old hi!. There is #o"hi#$ !ore "o -e said or "o -e do#e "o,#i$h", so ha#d !e o'er !y 'ioli# a#d le" &s "ry "o for$e" for half a# ho&r "he !isera-le wea"her a#d "he s"ill !ore !isera-le ways of o&r fellow !e#. I" had cleared i# "he !or#i#$, a#d "he s&# was shi#i#$ wi"h a s&-d&ed -ri$h"#ess "hro&$h "he di! 'eil

which ha#$s o'er "he $rea" ci"y. Sherlock ol!es was already a" -reakfas" whe# I ca!e dow#. Yo& will e*c&se !e for #o" wai"i#$ for yo&, said he6 I ha'e, I foresee, a 'ery -&sy day -efore !e i# looki#$ i#"o "his case of yo&#$ O)e#shaw1s. (ha" s"e)s will yo& "ake3 I asked. I" will 'ery !&ch de)e#d &)o# "he res&l"s of !y firs" i#+&iries. I !ay ha'e "o $o dow# "o orsha!, af"er all. Yo& will #o" $o "here firs"3 No, I shall co!!e#ce wi"h "he Ci"y. E&s" ri#$ "he -ell a#d "he !aid will -ri#$ &) yo&r coffee. As I wai"ed, I lif"ed "he &#o)e#ed #ews)a)er fro! "he "a-le a#d $la#ced !y eye o'er i". I" res"ed &)o# a headi#$ which se#" a chill "o !y hear". ol!es, I cried, yo& are "oo la"e. Ah@ said he, layi#$ dow# his c&), I feared as !&ch. ow was i" do#e3 e s)oke cal!ly, -&" I co&ld see "ha" he was dee)ly !o'ed. My eye ca&$h" "he #a!e of O)e#shaw, a#d "he headi#$ 0Tra$edy Near (a"erloo %rid$e.1 ere is "he acco&#"M 0%e"wee# #i#e a#d "e# las" #i$h" 7olice,Co#s"a-le Cook, of "he Di'isio#, o# d&"y #ear (a"erloo %rid$e, heard a cry for hel) a#d a s)lash i# "he wa"er. The #i$h", howe'er, was e*"re!ely dark a#d s"or!y, so "ha", i# s)i"e of "he hel) of se'eral )assers,-y, i" was +&i"e i!)ossi-le "o effec" a resc&e. The alar!, howe'er, was $i'e#, a#d, -y "he aid of "he wa"er,)olice, "he -ody was e'e#"&ally reco'ered. I" )ro'ed "o -e "ha" of a yo&#$ $e#"le!a# whose #a!e, as i" a))ears fro! a# e#'elo)e which was fo&#d i# his )ocke", was Eoh# O)e#shaw, a#d whose reside#ce is #ear orsha!. I" is co#4ec"&red "ha" he !ay ha'e -ee# h&rryi#$ dow# "o ca"ch "he las" "rai# fro! (a"erloo S"a"io#, a#d "ha" i# his has"e a#d "he e*"re!e dark#ess he !issed his )a"h a#d walked o'er "he ed$e of o#e of "he s!all la#di#$,)laces for ri'er s"ea!-oa"s. The -ody e*hi-i"ed #o "races of 'iole#ce, a#d "here ca# -e #o do&-" "ha" "he deceased had -ee# "he 'ic"i! of a# &#for"&#a"e accide#", which sho&ld ha'e "he effec" of calli#$ "he a""e#"io# of "he a&"hori"ies "o "he co#di"io# of "he ri'erside la#di#$,s"a$es.1 (e sa" i# sile#ce for so!e !i#&"es, ol!es !ore de)ressed a#d shake# "ha# I had e'er see# hi!. Tha" h&r"s !y )ride, (a"so#, he said a" las". I" is a )e""y feeli#$, #o do&-", -&" i" h&r"s !y )ride. I" -eco!es a )erso#al !a""er wi"h !e #ow, a#d, if Fod se#ds !e heal"h, I shall se" !y ha#d &)o# "his $a#$. Tha" he sho&ld co!e "o !e for hel), a#d "ha" I sho&ld se#d hi! away "o his dea"h/@ e s)ra#$ fro! his chair a#d )aced a-o&" "he roo! i# &#co#"rolla-le a$i"a"io#, wi"h a fl&sh &)o# his sallow cheeks a#d a #er'o&s clas)i#$ a#d &#clas)i#$ of his lo#$ "hi# ha#ds. They !&s" -e c&##i#$ de'ils, he e*clai!ed a" las". ow co&ld "hey ha'e decoyed hi! dow# "here3 The E!-a#k!e#" is #o" o# "he direc" li#e "o "he s"a"io#. The -rid$e, #o do&-", was "oo crowded, e'e# o# s&ch a #i$h", for "heir )&r)ose. (ell, (a"so#, we shall see who will wi# i# "he lo#$ r&#. I a! $oi#$ o&" #ow@ To "he )olice3 No6 I shall -e !y ow# )olice. (he# I ha'e s)&# "he we- "hey !ay "ake "he flies, -&" #o" -efore. All day I was e#$a$ed i# !y )rofessio#al work, a#d i" was la"e i# "he e'e#i#$ -efore I re"&r#ed "o %aker S"ree". Sherlock ol!es had #o" co!e -ack ye". I" was #early "e# o1clock -efore he e#"ered, looki#$ )ale a#d wor#. e walked &) "o "he side-oard, a#d "eari#$ a )iece fro! "he loaf he de'o&red i" 'oracio&sly, washi#$ i" dow# wi"h a lo#$ dra&$h" of wa"er. Yo& are h&#$ry, I re!arked. S"ar'i#$. I" had esca)ed !y !e!ory. I ha'e had #o"hi#$ si#ce -reakfas". No"hi#$3 No" a -i"e. I had #o "i!e "o "hi#k of i". A#d how ha'e yo& s&cceeded3 (ell. Yo& ha'e a cl&e3 I ha'e "he! i# "he hollow of !y ha#d. Yo&#$ O)e#shaw shall #o" lo#$ re!ai# &#a'e#$ed. (hy, (a"so#, le" &s )&" "heir ow# de'ilish "rade,!ark &)o# "he!. I" is well "ho&$h" of@ (ha" do yo& !ea#3 e "ook a# ora#$e fro! "he c&)-oard, a#d "eari#$ i" "o )ieces he s+&ee.ed o&" "he )i)s &)o# "he "a-le. Of "hese he "ook fi'e a#d "hr&s" "he! i#"o a# e#'elo)e. O# "he i#side of "he fla) he wro"e S. . for E. O. The# he sealed i" a#d addressed i" "o Ca)"ai# Ea!es Calho&#, %ar+&e Lone Star, Sa'a##ah, Feor$ia. Tha" will awai" hi! whe# he e#"ers )or", said he, ch&ckli#$. I" !ay $i'e hi! a slee)less #i$h". e will fi#d i" as s&re a )rec&rsor of his fa"e as O)e#shaw did -efore hi!. A#d who is "his Ca)"ai# Calho&#3 The leader of "he $a#$. I shall ha'e "he o"hers, -&" he firs".

 ow did yo& "race i", "he#3 e "ook a lar$e shee" of )a)er fro! his )ocke", all co'ered wi"h da"es a#d #a!es. I ha'e s)e#" "he whole day, said he, o'er 5loyd1s re$is"ers a#d files of "he old )a)ers, followi#$ "he f&"&re career of e'ery 'essel which "o&ched a" 7o#dicherry i# Ea#&ary a#d Fe-r&ary i# 1IA. There were "hir"y,si* shi)s of fair "o##a$e which were re)or"ed "here d&ri#$ "hose !o#"hs. Of "hese, o#e, "he Lone Star, i#s"a#"ly a""rac"ed !y a""e#"io#, si#ce, al"ho&$h i" was re)or"ed as ha'i#$ cleared fro! 5o#do#, "he #a!e is "ha" which is $i'e# "o o#e of "he s"a"es of "he G#io#. Te*as, I "hi#k. I was #o" a#d a! #o" s&re which6 -&" I k#ew "ha" "he shi) !&s" ha'e a# A!erica# ori$i#. (ha" "he#3 I searched "he D&#dee records, a#d whe# I fo&#d "ha" "he -ar+&e Lone Star was "here i# Ea#&ary, 1IL, !y s&s)icio# -eca!e a cer"ai#"y. I "he# i#+&ired as "o "he 'essels which lay a" )rese#" i# "he )or" of 5o#do#. Yes3 The Lone Star had arri'ed here las" week. I we#" dow# "o "he Al-er" Dock a#d fo&#d "ha" she had -ee# "ake# dow# "he ri'er -y "he early "ide "his !or#i#$, ho!eward -o&#d "o Sa'a##ah. I wired "o Fra'ese#d a#d lear#ed "ha" she had )assed so!e "i!e a$o, a#d as "he wi#d is eas"erly I ha'e #o do&-" "ha" she is #ow )as" "he Foodwi#s a#d #o" 'ery far fro! "he Isle of (i$h". (ha" will yo& do, "he#3 Oh, I ha'e !y ha#d &)o# hi!. e a#d "he "wo !a"es, are as I lear#, "he o#ly #a"i'e,-or# A!erica#s i# "he shi). The o"hers are Fi##s a#d Fer!a#s. I k#ow, also, "ha" "hey were all "hree away fro! "he shi) las" #i$h". I had i" fro! "he s"e'edore who has -ee# loadi#$ "heir car$o. %y "he "i!e "ha" "heir saili#$, shi) reaches Sa'a##ah "he !ail,-oa" will ha'e carried "his le""er, a#d "he ca-le will ha'e i#for!ed "he )olice of Sa'a##ah "ha" "hese "hree $e#"le!e# are -adly wa#"ed here &)o# a char$e of !&rder. There is e'er a flaw, howe'er, i# "he -es" laid of h&!a# )la#s, a#d "he !&rderers of Eoh# O)e#shaw were #e'er "o recei'e "he ora#$e )i)s which wo&ld show "he! "ha" a#o"her, as c&##i#$ a#d as resol&"e as "he!sel'es, was &)o# "heir "rack. ?ery lo#$ a#d 'ery se'ere were "he e+&i#oc"ial $ales "ha" year. (e wai"ed lo#$ for #ews of "he Lone Star of Sa'a##ah, -&" #o#e e'er reached &s. (e did a" las" hear "ha" so!ewhere far o&" i# "he A"la#"ic a sha""ered s"er#,)os" of a -oa" was see# swi#$i#$ i# "he "ro&$h of a wa'e, wi"h "he le""ers 5. S. car'ed &)o# i", a#d "ha" is all which we shall e'er k#ow of "he fa"e of "he Lone Star.

The Mysterious Stranger by mark Twain A FAB ! O#ce &)o# a "i!e a# ar"is" who had )ai#"ed a s!all a#d 'ery -ea&"if&l )ic"&re )laced i" so "ha" he co&ld see i" i# "he !irror. e said, NThis do&-les "he dis"a#ce a#d sof"e#s i", a#d i" is "wice as lo'ely as i" was -efore.N The a#i!als o&" i# "he woods heard of "his "hro&$h "he ho&seca", who was $rea"ly ad!ired -y "he! -eca&se he was so lear#ed, a#d so refi#ed a#d ci'ili.ed, a#d so )oli"e a#d hi$h,-red, a#d co&ld "ell "he! so !&ch which "hey did#O" k#ow -efore, a#d were #o" cer"ai# a-o&" af"erward. They were !&ch e*ci"ed a-o&" "his #ew )iece of $ossi), a#d "hey asked +&es"io#s, so as "o $e" a" a f&ll &#ders"a#di#$ of i". They asked wha" a )ic"&re was, a#d "he ca" e*)lai#ed. NI" is a fla" "hi#$,N he said6 Nwo#derf&lly fla", !ar'elo&sly fla", e#cha#"i#$ly fla" a#d ele$a#". A#d, oh, so -ea&"if&l@N Tha" e*ci"ed "he! al!os" "o a fre#.y, a#d "hey said "hey wo&ld $i'e "he world "o see i". The# "he -ear askedM N(ha" is i" "ha" !akes i" so -ea&"if&l3N NI" is "he looks of i",N said "he ca". This filled "he! wi"h ad!ira"io# a#d &#cer"ai#"y, a#d "hey were !ore e*ci"ed "ha# e'er. The# "he cow askedM N(ha" is a !irror3N NI" is a hole i# "he wall,N said "he ca". NYo& look i# i", a#d "here yo& see "he )ic"&re, a#d i" is so dai#"y

a#d char!i#$ a#d e"hereal a#d i#s)iri#$ i# i"s &#i!a$i#a-le -ea&"y "ha" yo&r head "&r#s ro&#d a#d ro&#d, a#d yo& al!os" swoo# wi"h ecs"asy.N The ass had #o" said a#y"hi#$ as ye"6 he #ow -e$a# "o "hrow do&-"s. e said "here had #e'er -ee# a#y"hi#$ as -ea&"if&l as "his -efore, a#d )ro-a-ly was#O" #ow. e said "ha" whe# i" "ook a whole -aske"f&l of ses+&i)edalia# ad4ec"i'es "o whoo) &) a "hi#$ of -ea&"y, i" was "i!e for s&s)icio#. I" was easy "o see "ha" "hese do&-"s were ha'i#$ a# effec" &)o# "he a#i!als, so "he ca" we#" off offe#ded. The s&-4ec" was dro))ed for a co&)le of days, -&" i# "he !ea#"i!e c&riosi"y was "aki#$ a fresh s"ar", aid "here was a re'i'al of i#"eres" )erce)"i-le. The# "he a#i!als assailed "he ass for s)oili#$ wha" co&ld )ossi-ly ha'e -ee# a )leas&re "o "he!, o# a !ere s&s)icio# "ha" "he )ic"&re was #o" -ea&"if&l, wi"ho&" a#y e'ide#ce "ha" s&ch was "he case. The ass was #o", "ro&-led6 he was cal!, a#d said "here was o#e way "o fi#d o&" who was i# "he ri$h", hi!self or "he ca"M he wo&ld $o a#d look i# "ha" hole, a#d co!e -ack a#d "ell wha" he fo&#d "here. The a#i!als fel" relie'ed a#d $ra"ef&l, a#d asked hi! "o $o a" o#ce/which he did. %&" he did #o" k#ow where he o&$h" "o s"a#d6 a#d so, "hro&$h error, he s"ood -e"wee# "he )ic"&re a#d "he !irror. The res&l" was "ha" "he )ic"&re had #o cha#ce, a#d did#O" show &). e re"&r#ed ho!e a#d saidM NThe ca" lied. There was #o"hi#$ i# "ha" hole -&" a# ass. There was#O" a si$# of a fla" "hi#$ 'isi-le. I" was a ha#dso!e ass, a#d frie#dly, -&" 4&s" a# ass, a#d #o"hi#$ !ore.N The ele)ha#" askedM NDid yo& see i" $ood a#d clear3 (ere yo& close "o i"3N NI saw i" $ood a#d clear, O a"hi, 2i#$ of %eas"s. I was so close "ha" I "o&ched #oses wi"h i".N NThis is 'ery s"ra#$e,N said "he ele)ha#"6 N"he ca" was always "r&"hf&l -efore/as far as we co&ld !ake o&". 5e" a#o"her wi"#ess "ry. Fo, %aloo, look i# "he hole, a#d co!e a#d re)or".N So "he -ear we#". (he# he ca!e -ack, he saidM N%o"h "he ca" a#d "he ass ha'e lied6 "here was #o"hi#$ i# "he hole -&" a -ear.N Frea" was "he s&r)rise a#d )&..le!e#" of "he a#i!als. Each was #ow a#*io&s "o !ake "he "es" hi!self a#d $e" a" "he s"rai$h" "r&"h. The ele)ha#" se#" "he! o#e a" a "i!e. Firs", "he cow. She fo&#d #o"hi#$ i# "he hole -&" a cow. The "i$er fo&#d #o"hi#$ i# i" -&" a "i$er. The lio# fo&#d #o"hi#$ i# i" -&" a lio#. The leo)ard fo&#d #o"hi#$ i# i" -&" a leo)ard. The ca!el fo&#d a ca!el, a#d #o"hi#$ !ore. The# a"hi was wro"h, a#d said he wo&ld ha'e "he "r&"h, if he had "o $o a#d fe"ch i" hi!self. (he# he re"&r#ed, he a-&sed his whole s&-4ec"ry for liars, a#d was i# a# &#a))easa-le f&ry wi"h "he !oral a#d !e#"al -li#d#ess of "he ca". e said "ha" a#y-ody -&" a #ear,si$h"ed fool co&ld see "ha" "here was #o"hi#$ i# "he hole -&" a# ele)ha#". MORAL, ! "#E CA" Yo& ca# fi#d i# a "e*" wha"e'er yo& -ri#$, if yo& will s"a#d -e"wee# i" a#d "he !irror of yo&r i!a$i#a"io#. Yo& !ay #o" see yo&r ears, -&" "hey will -e "here.