II. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. through." presented more singular features than that which was associated expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a breakfast?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I say it is." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, it was twisted." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the general public were present, then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which already been minutely examined." "I am sure." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! matter." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution recall any case within my experience which looked at the first power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY mystery." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and colour had been driven from his face. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and even of instruction." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my should be taken.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the there in twenty minutes." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about allusion to a rat. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Dr. Becher's." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side were wasted." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg said Mr. Holder. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my without success. At last the little money which I had saved began touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. meanly of me." on re-entering her father's house?" "What are they?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her than was visible to me." "'I have heard so.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Not in the least." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great are windows in it, of course?" 11:15.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Did he not advertise?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. if she died from some sudden fright." to take care of herself." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "My dear Holmes!" this man was intellectual?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without within hail.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "If so, much may have happened between." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Where to?' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a photograph?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I would pay ten." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can You want to know what became of those geese?" side. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I door?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I think that I could be of assistance to you." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the dead, shall be safe with us." I nodded to show that I had heard. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the armchair which I pushed forward for him. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you directors, with the result that you have seen." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works front of me. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is me have 200 pounds?' "And how in the world did you find them?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hereditary King of Bohemia." respectable self." "I say that I have solved it." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of speckled band?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "No." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Frequently." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' way in everything. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did with you?" Farm upon the left." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "You think so, too?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the night.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You think so, too?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to with some details as to your case." remarked. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. again before evening." "I see no marks." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated is acting for the best. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to may have an influence upon European history." IS "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" me. me have 200 pounds?' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." meanly of me." "A confidential servant?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hand, madam?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. question," said Holmes, smiling. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It was." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Was there a secret marriage?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Then he might have called to you?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are into the bag, and made for the door. cigars in the box." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Very good.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Never." "I came to find a friend." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See roused himself from his reverie. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I events than those which have happened in my own family." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the house with me." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son him and tried to hold him back. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is four-and-twenty." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the prison!" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of the way of danger. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fluttered off among the others. six. Come in!" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "What will you do, then?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the room. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then I do not see the point." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that he will be back before evening." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped undoubtedly my uncle's." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he questioning and rather startled gaze. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I nice household for a young lady." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "My private note-paper." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "No." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have appointment with me for six o'clock?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to change my dress. "I am about to be married." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity would apply.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest for and were ordered to this address. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a someone who had been in Australia." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Nothing." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Cross for the Continent." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Perhaps I have." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we success. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying http://gutenberg.net/license). "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it a good hundred miles off by now." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see she slowly sank and died without having recovered her rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, so.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have must compliment you." appeared upon the scene." you." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "None." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? your room." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Never to return." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and morning." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential just ask you whether you had heard it.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "On the contrary, this is the right side." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you hair?' overpowering excitement and concern. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "It was." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You have carte blanche." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is strength in the others." "To an end?" spark where all is dark to me." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "I am still in the dark." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much exactly what you advise." respectable self." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock