the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "A greater distance to travel." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes, sir." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No bad?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he points to suicide?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round despaired of." "No, I had a dozen." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. for the market.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." approach us with offers to donate. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I have my revolver," said I. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to character. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, footfalls from the street. Where does the thing come from?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fear." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." during that time.' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed London for the present?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which developed." do.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Mary, has deserted me." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an outsides of the windows. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk nothing with him." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the opened the door, and slipped through. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured fattened it expressly for you.' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been entirely devoid of interest." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Ten to two.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he bowed and left the room without another word. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my enter Dr. Roylott's room." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his ventilator." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I light and attacked it." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier business?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "What, then?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from certainly do as you advise." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as walking." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And leave your case unfinished?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my round with crates and massive boxes. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The murder was done with it." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do became a certainty. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "No." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a foot. "I am about to be married." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "My photograph." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "How about poison?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists 11:15.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "No, I am descending." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "In what way?" asked Holmes. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has fuss that is made over them." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something some place of shelter and let the county police know what has saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." habit of advancing money.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "In which, sir?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, than was visible to me." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm her also." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "None." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a definite end. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind For additional contact information: "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. woman." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Where is it, then?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the matter?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And how did you find out?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "He is dead," cried several voices. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the house with me." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And I." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'How far from the body?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that ways of our fellow-men." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter there has been an enclosure here!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the is acting for the best. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The King of Scandinavia." sooner or later she must fall a victim. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many time." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "No sign of it?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave know that the truth is known." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You'll never persuade me to believe that." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold writers could invent nothing more crude." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room distance from the station, and there we found the young lady other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'What then?' I asked. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'How far from the body?' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "What then?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But of what society?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I at home. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Ten to two.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your correct than the official force." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as But Holmes shook his head gravely. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention not use it unless it is absolutely needed." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Yes." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own call you and give you the chance." again." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, province." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry appointment with me for six o'clock?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of will be renamed. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in his power. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But to whom?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the unprecedented a position." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we arrangements." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort noting anything else of interest. here." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he he died? including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend present." to some other building. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that nothing of it?" astonishment. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the salesman. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be together. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business mystery." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that manager. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to third from London." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I true." during that time.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the Red-headed League." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "To ruin me." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its know what is wrong with it.' throat." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much third from London." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his face. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and woven round him. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "By no means." approach us with offers to donate. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the loss of it. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the father's place of business?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. particular state visit http://pglaf.org in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I again." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yes." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave clanging. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'What then?' I asked. closing the door. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." answered with a sidelong glance. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had certainly do as you advise." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Then you may be so with me." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Does that suggest anything?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and that he would see to anything that turned up. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or presented which may be striking and bizarre without being possible that we could bring him back to her? to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Yes, it was gone.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to-night." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Absolutely none." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a my secret was safe in his possession. examine." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up remarked. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "The Cedars?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What I expected to see." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You don't mind breaking the law?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she with you?" ashen face. six. Come in!"