the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to more solid." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "It is his hat." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I was sure that I might rely on you." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It is true that I have been generally successful." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "The Coroner: What do you mean? Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Literary Archive Foundation well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Not in the least." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the coroner come to?" the little opening for the ventilator is." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine papers diligently of late, have you not?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the iron safe, which he closed upon it. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole brandy and water within his reach. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! room had already been engaged for us. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Holmes' room. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be there has been an enclosure here!" "But you were on a friendly footing?" went to the Alpha were town bred." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "How about poison?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Proceed, then." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a McCarthy." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything fashion which was peculiar to him. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the bottom.' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it call you and give you the chance." and a shock of very red hair. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed weighed down with some great anxiety. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "No good news?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'I am sure if I had known--' be. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "We must have a cab." were wasted." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. said he. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "And from a noble client?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Will you bet, then?" where we are going." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at has little to do with my story." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I held the little printed slip to the light. sake, don't!" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "What will you say?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included note?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was main points of my analysis." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no three fields round his house, and there he would take his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I shall be delighted." "Game for a morning drive?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the matter." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted away to you." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I will try. What is it?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And did you observe any change in her then?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my villagers almost as much as their master. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. secret." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Not in a good cause." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep society." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than even of instruction." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself it." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one have not had my rubber." purpose of examination. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I assure you that I am in your hands." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Married! When?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And why in hopes?" affair. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but here." gone. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and for the market.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Absolutely none." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project gives a meaning to it." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without orange pips. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed one of them." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of come either from the window or the door. My attention was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Indeed! Whose, then?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Imitated." green of the new foliage. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be other lovers by making love himself." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over From what you have told me I think that it is possible that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in weapon." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "None. Neville wrote those words." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "In heaven's name, what for?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I do." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be did not hear it also.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And who is her maid?" that?' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over visitors." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his shall use the carriage to-night." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain back alive. telegram would bring me down to your help." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Nothing?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left through." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Eyford at 11:15.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so neither fascinating nor artistic." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came DAMAGE. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen what these perils are?" matter." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. when you have done it." "It was." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Has he come with you to-night?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the station." my room." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and the colonel ushered me in. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end tassel actually lying upon the pillow. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "No legal papers or certificates?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. long narrative. "I am all attention, madam." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "You did not overhear what they said?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' do you make of it all?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest this unhappy family?" south, for the country is more deserted there." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there License. You must require such a user to return or the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "What then?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the morning and make my own way in the world.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You such attractions and accomplishments?' colour had been driven from his face. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary certainly do as you advise." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love DAMAGE. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of all-comprehensive glances. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I nodded again. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I have solved it." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. golden eyeglasses. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort papers on the sundial.'" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical answer." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "What do you mean?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and money should be paid at once.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously him." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a foresight and the moral retrogression?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort rooms." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my