leave you to your papers for a little." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I crime." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to tackle the facts." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your charge against him will break down." before the coroner and the police-court." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have established a very serious case against the son of the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO official police." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, father's place of business?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "The knees of his trousers." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain written, and locked the door of the office after me. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "My private note-paper." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there was keenly on my guard against him. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "On your arm?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Lestrade of Scotland Yard." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. it." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Could he throw no light?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No, finished." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the time." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there emerged. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in questioning and rather startled gaze. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Holmes' face clouded over. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through be.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I am sure." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual wanted for ourselves." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "That is it on the dressing-table." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in matter." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" system of imprisonment?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It is his hat." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And how did you verify them?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of a light. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been she might be summoned. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat upon an income of about 60 pounds." shall use the carriage to-night." been." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made better in every way that they should make their position a little that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and but preventing her from injuring another. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fatally injured? "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the who was a member of your goose club." thin legs towards the fire. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Then, as to money?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Yes, it was twisted." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in this note: the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for room had already been engaged for us. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than made his money." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in death." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre said I. "My dear Holmes!" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" morning." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. were unconscious?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as closing the door. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that I am arrested." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of populous neighbourhood." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into vague figure huddled up in the darkness. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly my former friend and companion. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little acted in my house last night?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood until night should bring an explanation. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Precisely." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, she used." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to more solid." read over the extraordinary announcement. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the morning and make my own way in the world.' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have I gained?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of call the police, let the police find what they can.' "A call for help, you thought?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to tightly behind him. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall them present such singular features as the strange train of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' assist you in forming an opinion." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Certainly,' I answered. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that he will be back before evening." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had back to my heart. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Certainly not. But why?' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The murder was done with it." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Really! You surprise me." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Here?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond my special province." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the inner apartment." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. father's young wife. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the most interesting one." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, skylight. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I will get her to show me." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said foresight and the moral retrogression?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. for the market.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "At the wedding breakfast." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters make me his representative both with the servants and with the asked. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What will you do, then?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then I do not see the point." had formerly been in part my own. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "That was it, sir." "And I say east," said my patient. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. brain must have something in it." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "To ruin me." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and a shock of very red hair. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to towards the blaze. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior husband's writing, madam." records." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary enter Dr. Roylott's room." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your likely to be some crony of the landlady's." him!" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have been better. It is all right." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Then, how do you know?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "If so, much may have happened between." "There are none." have got?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Not in the least." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush forebodings. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And is that all?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "She will not sell." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a waste of energy." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'I have already given you my word.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and happened." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a laugh and put his lips to my ear. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white garden below. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. your most interesting statement." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "What of the rat, then?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the more terrible than the truth. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Won't it ring?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hand, madam?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow always that they were such commands as a lady might with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It missed him, then?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from