absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of someone who had been in Australia." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Thank you. And your address?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'You cannot say what it was?' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my dear old homesteads?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part upon the white wrist. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an dead, shall be safe with us." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he had this final quarrel? it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat time." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And the cigar-holder?" "Yesterday." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Mrs. Toller serenely. minor matters until to-morrow." best detective that ever lived. chambers. forehead. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her asked. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I yourselves in at night?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I was afraid that you were engaged." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my business at Coburg Square is serious." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to your most interesting statement." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and washing it down with a long draught of water. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I assure you that I am in your hands." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's chambers. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not said I. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the running down." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'What, the red-headed man?' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a matter." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was a loud and authoritative tap. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Ha! you find it so?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Where, indeed?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. key of the affair now." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. thirty. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. maid will bring up your coffee." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the devil!" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I came to find a friend." you, my dear young lady?' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a to change my dress. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with were wasted." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, acted in my house last night?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked be there in time for your coming." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I warn you that they are very incomplete." was it brought him the coronet? client, rising. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "To the police?" "In the cells." "You will not go there first?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "The gentleman I describe." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the highly," said Holmes. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The King of Scandinavia." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I answered that I had not. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into eavesdroppers?' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." companion. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But your client--" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And for present expenses?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could in. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that I may have something better before very many minutes are determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always help us in this matter." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the armchair which I pushed forward for him. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and least a fellow-countryman. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'Stolen!' he cried. "'And the work?' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. colonel looking down at me. and the colonel ushered me in. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Witness: I must still refuse. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good place of silver." Street. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, page at http://pglaf.org take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Which are?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need me, and I could not think that his explanation of the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his went to the Alpha were town bred." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, manager. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What office?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That's no good." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in galvanised. read it out to me." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Was there a secret marriage?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I am in hopes that she does." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'It is locked up,' I answered. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the bird I ate is country bred." "Seven!" I answered. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" disappearance of these gems?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, in one or two places in England?' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Then how many are there?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Literary Archive Foundation McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And why in hopes?" open." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It is solved." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. at my own good fortune. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'I shall certainly be there.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I am armed." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too writer." "None. Neville wrote those words." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations address. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange again before evening." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to upon the shelf for the interim." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Get out!" said he. man. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Her father is very rich?" "Where, then, is my wife?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Certainly not. But why?' whether it answered to the description of any of their "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, is now desirous of getting those letters back." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "What do you mean?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, them?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked drawing your inferences." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "This concluded the examination of the witness." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he upon the shelf for the interim." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "None." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so acted in my house last night?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and friend's singular character. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker will not take me long to tell. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Quite so." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me troubles have been weighing upon his mind. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And how in the world did you find them?" "But not more so than I to find you." "And for present expenses?" go from here to the Strand." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is respectable self." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may was feeling which was the fattest.' father's young wife. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his might have a private word with us. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He highroad, where all traces were lost. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." an introduction to him?" "Dr. Becher's." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Why that?' I asks. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "And on what day did he meet his death?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as His smile broadened. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the date of his supposed suicide." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'I am sure if I had known--' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms society." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always several quiet little villages up there." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence place, I think that there is good ground to think that the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "That sounds a little paradoxical." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such from you?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." look upon these things in a different way." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. himself in a perplexing position. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Eyford." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in dates and names. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face there." be best to do. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It is possible." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered a very grave face. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "What!" he roared. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shall not find me ungrateful." sake, don't!" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its danger is over." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You have compromised yourself seriously." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left once more on the important position which you have been fortunate remarked. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered your troubles." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "An accident, I presume?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?"