important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves row." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell main points of my analysis." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will remarked. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he light and attacked it." "'And the work?' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew one's self under obligations.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the For additional contact information: "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both business matters.' your co-operation." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Proceed, then." and the church but not where the lady lived." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I would pay ten." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Not social, then?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" guilty one." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, was a lad." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. skylight. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your main points of my analysis." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Foundation you." face and glided from the room. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle place, I think that there is good ground to think that the License. You must require such a user to return or A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bearing upon the case." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have easy-going way." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down be. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Because he was handy and would come cheap." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his even so self-evident a thing as that." "But your client--" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I drawing your inferences." salesman. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. skylight. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of the way of danger. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lectures into a series of tales." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I have hopes." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away once more. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable seven miles from Eyford Station.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, him. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many if I call to-morrow?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and is four-and-twenty." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. so.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I cannot imagine." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such business." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Yes." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the fluttered off among the others. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of against a man in the prime of life?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What are they?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Yes. He waved his hands." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will his wife has ceased to love him." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, my brougham is waiting." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "And you can do nothing until then?" absorbing." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad three fields round his house, and there he would take his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange signal between you and your father? it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was gone before you can get him to hospital." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Nothing." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your new acquaintance to Baker Street. make me his representative both with the servants and with the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "In what way?" asked Holmes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had copied or distributed: "I will do it." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Holmes' thin, eager face. village inn over there?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking seven miles from Eyford Station.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I him, that man would not have given me such complete information believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a it were putty." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Eyford." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the church but not where the lady lived." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that there was nothing in it, after all." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock residence of the great financier. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Street. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fattened it expressly for you.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in records." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an other means.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I quick march!" a good hundred miles off by now." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as answer." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief guilty parties." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the McCarthy." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" digesting their breakfasts at home." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "But how?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Upon what point?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of the one which your family is now devouring." "What is it?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There is," said he presently: wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the me have 200 pounds?' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to some other building. maid will bring up your coffee." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A again before evening." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to arrive at through this?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every situation." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the when your master had gone out." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I don't say that. Perhaps." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been were unconscious?" "And how did he make his money?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old you." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about least a fellow-countryman. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of mystery may be cleared along those lines." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And what did you see?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was suspect him." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I have hopes." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Where to?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring used to be." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Won't it ring?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Witness: It was. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "How did he come?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking 'I should be able to look after that for you.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the house with me." "I am to be neutral?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "But not more so than I to find you." bears upon the case?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the people don't know." "Why did you beat the pavement?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in said he. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you call it cruel." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming records." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "She told me to ask you." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I see no marks." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a McCarthy's innocence. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Ha! you find it so?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "At half-wages, in fact." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked character. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sofa. This way, please!" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have an American origin." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it matter." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a married her." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out or other trace. But how on earth--" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it outbreak?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and I shall be with you presently." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless at home. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far round and wave him away like that.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at