was shining brightly. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." ago." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I cannot imagine." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sound at heart." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at awaited us upon the table. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Did your wife hear all this?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect some water from a caraffe. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten answer." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and presented more singular features than that which was associated charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of business came to an end." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes, I have one waiting." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cheerful." to surprise her." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But how will you look?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the seem to you to be relevant or not." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, enter Dr. Roylott's room." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but ways of our fellow-men." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of the vacancies.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was all that?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "That sounds a little paradoxical." which we had just quitted. "A confidential servant?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide one of the states of the Union." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by 11:15.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the inner apartment." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You know me, then?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. on re-entering her father's house?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my make me his representative both with the servants and with the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the come either from the window or the door. My attention was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in death." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Yes." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. morning." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My dear Holmes!" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Thank you. And your address?" your room." reach." closing the door. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, particular state visit http://pglaf.org the morning and make my own way in the world.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth individual and becomes the badge of a society." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "No sign of it?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to entirely devoid of interest." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My tightly behind him. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, records." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of receipt of the work. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my little problems." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. morning." "You are all wrong." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No bad?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." I was concerned in it." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "But it has twice been burgled." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." amused." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "She showed me, as I told you she would." highly," said Holmes. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Ample.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that?' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "We were both in the photograph." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either knowledge of the world." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hands. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not formed some opinion?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Did you become engaged then?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, but preventing her from injuring another. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And the murderer?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the ceiling. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his do you make of it all?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No sign of it?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied since then to throw any light upon what became of him." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "And what did you see?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "No." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I was mad--insane." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of remarked. stood on the top of it. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I unprecedented a position." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Eh? What was that?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Which are?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended wedding?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But to whom?" joking. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I think that I could be of assistance to you." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'As governess?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very them?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Who was the criminal, then?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Well, it is a possible supposition." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. as this. Pray let me have the details." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Can I be of assistance?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "On Monday." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "My photograph." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Who by?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Why that?' I asks. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, my brougham is waiting." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet nonsense.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The police have openly confessed that they can at present make snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "This photograph!" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it observed. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Very much so." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his cane at the bell-pull. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "When did it break out?" with you alone." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it were putty." sneer upon his pale face. signal between you and your father? long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." few hundred pounds.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent any little problem which you may submit to me." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I own family. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "None." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came look dissatisfied." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "How did you trace it, then?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are him to be an active member of the medical profession." narrative." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. opportunities to fix the problem. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his electronic works "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had future lives." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Yes.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more window when the police appeared." "I don't believe it." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the locked." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and to tell." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted developed." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Have you good authority for what you say?" must compliment you." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which