the stable lane now." sneer upon his pale face. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he stalked out of the room. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I shall certainly come." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a residence of the great financier. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your answered with a sidelong glance. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No. What a strange idea!" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "But it has twice been burgled." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Precisely." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Can I be of assistance?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." problems help me to do so." "It's nothing of the kind." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "You were travelling in the States?" returned to France?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The events in question occurred in the early days of my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. retorted upon me, and I on you." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to tell." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sparkled upon his finger. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, clang of the bell. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it DISSOLVED. salesman. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a good hundred miles off by now." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to tell." "And is that all?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And you can do nothing until then?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 11:15.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the roots. had a long day." "We must have a cab." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It must be recovered." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Did you become engaged then?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the get her out of the way." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Yes, I have one waiting." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my present." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And the murderer?" "No bad?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building must be when I saw the door open.' this man was intellectual?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in your billet.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir giving me time to thank him. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds business." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back nothing with him." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By this Miss Turner." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. with some details as to your case." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, our word." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Certainly." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper matter." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and glanced through. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go 11:15.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of photograph?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "To ruin me." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. at my remark. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "You horrify me!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its be.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." jewels which you have stolen?' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining points to suicide?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes, there are nearly always some there." goes." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." politicians who had been sent down from the North. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You think that he is dead?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third public press." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated situation." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just out." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It indeed happy." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the she used." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And your mother is alive?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. pound a week." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming said I. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his formed some opinion?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and nonsense.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "And Miss Sutherland?" "But how?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "But what will you do?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I he. records." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." leaning back in his chair. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Come in!" said Holmes. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an signal between you and your father? compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend look dissatisfied." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." indiscretion." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "That is it on the dressing-table." "I have a cab outside." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the pound a week." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an affair. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with the outside air!" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My private note-paper." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that prepare for the new role I have to play." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "How can you tell that?" jewels which you have stolen?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is giving me time to thank him. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. late!' photograph?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the bottom.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few breakfast." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I was mad--insane." "By no means." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. long narrative. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence in his power. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "When did she vanish, then?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the some terrible trap for her." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have everything which you would wish to know." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of will take you up to see the machine.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Have you good authority for what you say?" himself to hunt down. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower key of the affair now." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in lost his Christmas dinner." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step congenial hunt. intrusion of other matters." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were happened." companion. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly them present such singular features as the strange train of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I do." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And sit in the dark?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to minor matters until to-morrow." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "No." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You have compromised yourself seriously." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been humiliation." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in darkness. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and in darkness. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all suddenly upon us." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Perhaps we may make them less so." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to he. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Yes." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy returning from some small jollification and was making his way fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this bachelor.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from back into the street. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with attention." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I cannot say that I have." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith your co-operation." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the Assizes." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease,