before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "How are you getting on?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is think you a quite exceptional woman." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is clanging. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." round and wave him away like that.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. your Highness to the police-station?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; works. See paragraph 1.E below. posted to-day." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself occurred." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial narrative." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, yards of it?' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Yes." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have acquaintance?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of receipt of the work. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Yes, that is the Crown." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Was he the only applicant?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "My dear Holmes!" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "At what time?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, sparkled upon his finger. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is were new raised from a basin. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will manager. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at interested in these little problems, and since you are good endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." respectable self." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. you in your example." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Certainly." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I assure you that I am in your hands." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "The decline of his fortunes, then?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may had picked up in the wood. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, business came to an end." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of Mr. Rucastle's." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to directly by questioning you." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, sir." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he speckled band?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions help us in this matter." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in one or two places in England?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He back alive. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the eat it." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in subject to the trademark license, especially commercial coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the sofa. This way, please!" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & about. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Never." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for straightened it out again. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before a little more before I quite committed myself. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of dear old homesteads?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the mystery." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It is very kind of you." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Holmes. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "My photograph." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It missed him, then?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his fortune, and I went back to pa. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." open." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out examine." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in his grey eyes. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was corner of the building. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them peculiar to him. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Won't it ring?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very miles off. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I leave." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No bad?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so other lovers by making love himself." awkward doing business with an alias." outbreak?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Lestrade of Scotland Yard." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did nothing of it?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Literary Archive Foundation this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no since then to throw any light upon what became of him." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "What then?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age details should find their way into the papers. Inspector For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "What are they?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the Red-headed League." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the coronet in his hands?" to take care of herself." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Lee, in the county of Kent." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon at home. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, I have one waiting." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and no precautions can guard against." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "My Mary? Impossible!" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "And did you observe any change in her then?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "None." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your appeal." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "What steps will you take?" I asked. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my letters?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' himself in a perplexing position. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it bonnet, and went out." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Nothing." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Was your sister dressed?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Were they all fastened this morning?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went You want to know what became of those geese?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." question," said Holmes, smiling. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper footfalls from the street. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I have it here in my museum." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "So I heard. You have him here?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the King without delay." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I have come for advice." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that The King stared at him in amazement. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year The police have openly confessed that they can at present make right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes, that is the Crown." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon happened." there has been an enclosure here!" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name posted to-day." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional official police." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced himself to tell his story. and a shock of very red hair. success. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable is," said he presently: routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that way in." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, out of this horrible affair." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and inquire as to the address." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes. He waved his hands." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in morning." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers everything which you would wish to know." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had throat." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide once more to my work. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught said I. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet During two years I have had three consultations and one small residence of the great financier. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I will try. What is it?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Edgeware Road. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as he remarks, very much against the son." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to-morrow." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Absolutely?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." death." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the Assizes." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.'