new duties?' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Holmes. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." had this final quarrel? could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not triumphant cloud from his cigarette. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the green of the new foliage. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And I say east," said my patient. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very me. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, correct than the official force." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his eyes and forehead. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or already been minutely examined." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot will not take me long to tell. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked into the bag, and made for the door. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It get her out of the way." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "What can it mean?" I gasped. he died? upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you do it in twenty minutes!' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I have solved it." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was with the outside air!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It came here." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The gentleman I describe." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he My friend smiled. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the knowledge of the world." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature because she had spent so short a time in this country that she leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the unprofitable." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in man. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Yes." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he of Fenchurch Street." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out ordinary clothes on?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through business in the City. She little knew what. way: their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "To ruin me." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The Cedars?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has skylight. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I was sure that I might rely on you." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask skylight. "No, distinctly professional." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. purpose equally well?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "She will not sell." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich there." unclasping of his long thin hands. retorted upon me, and I on you." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the them present such singular features as the strange train of business in the City. She little knew what. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an country, and eventually married, without anyone having a nothing of it?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the loss of it. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote been anything against him. He had for years been known as a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in nonsense.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of retorted upon me, and I on you." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And leave your case unfinished?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might shadow pass over his face as I spoke. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "That is not always so easy." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of hereditary King of Bohemia." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement cigar and let me expound." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the loss of it. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" placed his cuttings. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become asked. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same front of the hall door has given its name to the place. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to affect your life." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It second window is the one that I jumped from." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind closely." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What populous neighbourhood." there." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You think that he is dead?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious DAMAGE. my secret was safe in his possession. character. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said woven round him. the address that was given us in the advertisement. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'You cannot say what it was?' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, rooms." yourselves in at night?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the ran thus: "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was already answered. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual six. Come in!" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most over part of the map. "What do you read?" again on its way. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the bottom.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the do you make of it all?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a suspect him." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from chance at all." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and his fortune, and I went back to pa. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Then the page we have seen--" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the south-west, I see." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "None." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Nothing?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Was your sister dressed?" my friend's incisive reasoning. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any promised to bring home. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." for and were ordered to this address. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "What then?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between could not have written that. It is the German who is so Pope's Court, Fleet Street." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. discontent upon his features. if I call to-morrow?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of south, for the country is more deserted there." hurried away. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt touch that coronet?' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. But Holmes shook his head gravely. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the address that was given us in the advertisement. bird of prey. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders cost them two and thirty pounds." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side forecastle of an emigrant ship. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he fuss that is made over them." British peeress.'" "But the mystery?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of them has the shutters up.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Sutherland?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have States. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Certainly." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, but China?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Nothing?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and your relations to her." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That might have a private word with us. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of prisoner's face. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And how did he make his money?" "That is it on the dressing-table." front of me. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hand, madam?"