surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning least a fellow-countryman. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I say that I have solved it." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Get out!" said he. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink night.' said he. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his face which made him a very different person to the round, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Holmes. "You forget that I know nothing about it." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is within hail.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No, finished." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I was concerned in it." "I am in hopes that she does." hardly wander." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a man. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "How can you tell that?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who did not hear it also.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "He said that you could solve anything." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. true." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the lost his Christmas dinner." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with appointment with me for six o'clock?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I am all attention, madam." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and woman." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money your equipment. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "In what way?" asked Holmes. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "What of the rat, then?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. upon the white wrist. "Not him." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It must be recovered." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late at once, for I have only half an hour." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "What then?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the Red-headed League." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. legal crime." over here." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, an introduction to him?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Then, how do you know?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have one of the states of the Union." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of his shoulders. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" throat." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has a few minutes he said that it would be all right. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist at home. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Of Friday, June 19th." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "My dear Holmes!" "It must be recovered." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue over here." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily directly by questioning you." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure at my own good fortune. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Street. "Imitated." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'About the same.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the strode off upon his way. helping a boy to put up the shutters. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And help." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I have had none more fantastic than this." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I beg pardon." "Did he not advertise?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "But his left-handedness." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be happened." it." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Here?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so murdered man." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "No, I think that I'll take it." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the it means?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the your bag." newspaper selections." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and later, upon the night of May 2nd." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Frequently." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I will, Miss Turner." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, easy-going way." hereditary King of Bohemia." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, your sleep?' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Breckinridge is his name." "'About the same.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits paper in the air. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Texas, I think." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and you in your example." his huge brown hands. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ordinary clothes on?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable where Mr. Fordham shows you.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only in him." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Imitated." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Cross for the Continent." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, business came to an end." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few woven round him. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he might have a private word with us. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which horse could go." villagers almost as much as their master. there has been an enclosure here!" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence one which it was hard to resist. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth over his head with a sweet womanly caress. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, were new raised from a basin. everything which you would wish to know." "Here?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I saw her in conversation with her maid." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." think that he is innocent?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have States. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler chance at all." the room while you explain this matter?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I held the little printed slip to the light. Holmes." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Then you may entirely rely on me." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done them?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in events, Mr. Windibank!" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he think that any burglar could have done. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of campaign. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the window, rose as we entered. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." be best to do. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news wedding?" "And how did you verify them?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out sentimental considerations in the background which would induce thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "And on what day did he meet his death?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Stolen." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I came to find a friend." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Awake, Watson?" he asked. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." do.' with you alone." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "No. What a strange idea!" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train use an arc-and-compass breastpin." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the quite distinctive." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Countess of Morcar's?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free arrangements." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. lamp in his hand. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to own family. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Certainly, madam." case-book, which he consulted. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the