them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I do." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his bird of prey. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman delirious. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "What!" he roared. clang of the bell. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which our visitor detailed to us. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And Miss Sutherland?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I do.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "That was it, sir." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, certainly not very gracious." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was compunction about shooting them down." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as this. Pray let me have the details." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal as he folded up the epistle. fashion which was peculiar to him. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' your Highness to the police-station?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." legal crime." article?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Holmes' thin, eager face. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "How on earth--" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name ran thus: slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you, my dear young lady?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes, sir." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "What steps will you take?" I asked. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered what I may call a really hard day's work." companion. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed your equipment. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Then let me do so?' "Could he throw no light?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a papers on the sundial.'" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "The knees of his trousers." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said dramatic, in fact." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax little adventures." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Very. But will he see it?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I am armed." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "And the cigar-holder?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "What! Had he lost his wife?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. observed. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all acquaintance?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I had formerly been in part my own. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I cannot say that I have." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must as he folded up the epistle. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once as he remarks, very much against the son." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about when you have done it." mystery." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "On your arm?" asked. gone. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would go--none." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with four million human beings all jostling each other within the before, for it was considerably after midnight. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. overpowering excitement and concern. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes go from here to the Strand." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged woven round him. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over closely." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Then the page we have seen--" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend happened." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You saw the ventilator, too?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then I can wait in the next room." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a get the tickets." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when written. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been was it brought him the coronet? seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, closely." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that threaten you." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "How on earth--" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fluttered off among the others. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so father's young wife. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You know me, then?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Of what day?" the station." "No good news?" own family. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked woven round him. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been rose-bushes. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that I can to serve you." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "And for present expenses?" a very grave face. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It surprised me." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "What!" he roared. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whatever might befall. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no carriage. It was a chestnut." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." advice." always that they were such commands as a lady might with step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to-night?" I asked. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Breckinridge is his name." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Never." "'About the same.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Nothing?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow to where he stood hid behind the curtain. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no feature." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which exactly what you advise." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a other, as fresh and trim as possible. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony occupations.' roused himself from his reverie. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and all of them with the keenest interest. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is no ordinary one." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" discontent upon his features. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and put his glass in his pocket. unclasping of his long thin hands. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Nothing." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate do." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE is now desirous of getting those letters back." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Have you good authority for what you say?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss tapping his fingers upon the table. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with security.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It is possible." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question him nearly every evening." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming British peeress.'" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "But the mystery?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to over here." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What! a murderous attack?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too in darkness. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Arthur Conan Doyle He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Absolutely?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black even of instruction." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his wife has ceased to love him." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, walking." some terrible trap for her." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with kindly on the shoulder. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our even so self-evident a thing as that." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Eh? What was that?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the