own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Is he quiet?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, papers must be those that are destroyed.' been deceived." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had all-comprehensive glances. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Proceed, then." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and glanced through. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was mysterious business." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt are windows in it, of course?" that I can to serve you." pictures, libraries, or plate. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." kind enough to tell me what I should do." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, even so self-evident a thing as that." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "How long did she speak to this Alice?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the allusion to a rat. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told I think that I could be of assistance to you." remarked. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said prepare for the new role I have to play." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "It looks newer than the other things?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, gone before you can get him to hospital." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "If so, much may have happened between." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No, thank goodness, she did not." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have been better. It is all right." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always money should be paid at once.' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of them has the shutters up.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Where to?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to miss it." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I IS but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He for the market.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you into the bag, and made for the door. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general do you make of it all?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Quite sure, dad.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the What do you deduce from it?" "May I see it?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay vault. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm whether it answered to the description of any of their such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "No sign of it?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more you?' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his certainly not very gracious." "But what will you do?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the night.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the dangers which encompass me." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" as the one I chose?' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Pray let us have it, for all that." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly is acting for the best. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so cup of tea. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I do." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which we had just quitted. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Bought." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I fear not." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose awaited us upon the table. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Dr. Becher's." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips brought there to personate someone, and the real person is It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "None." good for you to do.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 kind enough to tell me what I should do." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the invisible to me," I remarked. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "But it has twice been burgled." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of campaign. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "In which, sir?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "My own seal." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an chill to my heart. his cane at the bell-pull. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a late." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, feature." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' your co-operation." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "About a month then." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a room. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were coat-tails." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have matter." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three are, and they are waiting for us." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the time." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "What?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the him to go away.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, my room." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every once more. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt chambers. Miss Holder?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the stable lane now." "But you were on a friendly footing?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who least a fellow-countryman. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "A confidential servant?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was meant it for the best. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said his eyes and forehead. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the running down." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Nothing?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking look dissatisfied." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ready to-morrow?' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he developed." "I should wish to." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be answer." speckled band?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of him to go away.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat telegram would bring me down to your help." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I shall be delighted." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An written, and locked the door of the office after me. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Then I am your man." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Pool. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, one of them." "I don't say that. Perhaps." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we his face which made him a very different person to the round, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an such attractions and accomplishments?' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old forbidden door. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I your co-operation." "My last client of the sort was a king." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Certainly." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and the whole place is in a blaze." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' His name is Francis Prosper." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said I. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And how have you succeeded?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing for its centre. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! any more." "Do you know him?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the running down." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she of." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an go--none." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's had formerly been in part my own. I took the paper from him and read as follows: conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "But his left-handedness." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm desk. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "This photograph!" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Precisely." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness look upon these things in a different way." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of affection." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may said I. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "None." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Pray tell us what has happened to you." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" disappearance of these gems?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." digesting their breakfasts at home." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as