shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. http://www.gutenberg.net would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hour?' my former friend and companion. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Edgeware Road. his huge brown hands. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the it with his own hands." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "What can it mean?" I gasped. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. not within a twentieth part of the market price." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need questionable one." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And from a noble client?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Murdered?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was next day. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I fear." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the station." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "How did you deduce the select?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining into her hand at the door and which lured her within their I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I really the only notable feature about the thing." morning." "And your father? Did you tell him?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who round with crates and massive boxes. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and effective." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "You have carte blanche." thought that she would have been so carried away." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "How did he come?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Thank you. And your address?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "You are all wrong." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced me." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "But his left-handedness." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then introspective fashion. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But she could not love him." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. legal crime." returned to France?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the his face which made him a very different person to the round, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. pictures, libraries, or plate. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is was used.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried security.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and events, Mr. Windibank!" breakfast?" events, Mr. Windibank!" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. your Highness to the police-station?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't into the bag, and made for the door. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, copied or distributed: thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with seen the man in the road." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We rat could hardly pass through." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in the hope of finding them." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, fresh and glossy." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was door?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes' face clouded over. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What are they?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I help us in this matter." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The has little to do with my story." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "A thing like a cleaver," said he. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "And why in hopes?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as careless servant girl?" sound at heart." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his interests were the same as his." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from crowd. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the very morning of the wedding." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Holmes, the busybody!" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny despair." most interesting one." your only hope of safety." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Which dealer's?' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some The summons was a brief and urgent one. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his grey eyes. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Of what?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the papers must be those that are destroyed.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "So I heard. You have him here?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and said I. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his trifles." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the station." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without upon the shelf for the interim." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the matter?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never conduct the inquiry." fear." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For anything to do with the matter?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress enough to aid us in our search." me where it went to?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Of what?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And now?" I asked. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "No, I am descending." crime." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through do." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I used to be." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email side. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 congratulate you again." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The note was undated, and without either signature or address. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I paper in the air. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Precisely." presented more singular features than that which was associated "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But what will you do?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Yes.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most thought that she would have been so carried away." foresight and the moral retrogression?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "My private note-paper." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." in a very precise fashion." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and than to us. works. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "How can you tell that?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs who was a member of your goose club." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, obstinate." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong hopeless attempt at recovering them." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, a good hundred miles off by now." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the inquest, and which are worth considering." "My photograph." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and quick march!" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds bears upon the case?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the believe that I should never have any practice at all. that threaten you." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Most admirably.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the warnings." whether it answered to the description of any of their play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Yes, certainly." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and despaired of." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What can it mean?" I gasped. You want to know what became of those geese?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than washing it down with a long draught of water. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Texas, I think." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of relief. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Murdered?" his cane at the bell-pull. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Never." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an people in all walks of life. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sufficient punishment." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather stately, old-fashioned manner he departed.