putting in the horse. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then for securing the situation." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yes." fear." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and a shock of very red hair. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "What shall I do?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the station." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Nothing?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Sutherland?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was keenly on my guard against him. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a salesman. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off said he. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Yes, at the mines." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It came here." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the words came to my lips. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It came here." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" voice. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the stones. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our some terrible trap for her." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no direction." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of Fenchurch Street." "Never to return." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes, there are nearly always some there." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite It may be so in this case, also." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that I nodded again. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending occurred." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I letters?" "I should wish to." During two years I have had three consultations and one small and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "My last client of the sort was a king." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me through." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Certainly,' I answered. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left touch that coronet?' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did residence of the great financier. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the coronet at all injured?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found vanished into the darkness. ordinary clothes on?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The murder was done with it." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in followed. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Chief Executive and Director "Proceed, then." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the roots. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Yes, the wine-cellar." gbnewby@pglaf.org flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Absolutely none." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It is no ordinary one." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What then?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." papers." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Texas, I think." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. could gather together that I was able to avert another public and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked closing the door. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all made his money." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body chair. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and that he would see to anything that turned up. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the little opening for the ventilator is." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons remarked. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Thank you. Pray proceed." would then never go into court at all." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me true." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Surrey." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason morning." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "One of his hands." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What shall I do?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hands. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the good for you to do.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It is his hat." "You think that he is dead?" handed it to him. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, at the mines." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "There is the writing." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It was an hour's good drive." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had not come at once?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I don't believe it." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Yes, it was gone.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I should be immensely obliged to you." six. Come in!" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' morning." had died away into the silence from which it rose. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "A call for help, you thought?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect geese which you supplied to the Alpha." astonishment. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. she used." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional during which he might have communicated with his friend the papers on the sundial.'" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was third from London." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in darkness. that you wished to speak to me?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window standing smiling on the door-step. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in father's place of business?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Oh, yes, easily." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Never.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry disappearance of the bride.'" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Breckinridge is his name." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Very much so." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and way in." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are introspective fashion. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "In heaven's name, what for?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. been shamefully used." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Here?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of most interesting one." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "No." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Won't it ring?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty as he folded up the epistle. writing, and yet I know it well." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Come in!" said Holmes. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hardly wander." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and showing my impatience. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "What will you say?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the extraordinary contortions. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as instituted." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the iron safe, which he closed upon it. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we colonel looking down at me. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to arrive at through this?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and awkward doing business with an alias." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is emerged. "But who is he?" "How about poison?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle detained." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he away into the river." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in behind me. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a dramatic, in fact." "Certainly." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming room had already been engaged for us. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the my room." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you forehead. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "That you are never beaten." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the ceremony." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, companion. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "It is possible." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Nothing?" might have a private word with us. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "By no means." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and