I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Pray continue your narrative." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What is it, then--a fire?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and a shock of very red hair. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad thirty. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Ah!" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there leaning back in his chair. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a late." thirty. McCarthy." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that his face. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "He slept on the premises." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my in. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." meanly of me." Heh?' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that foresight and the moral retrogression?" fattened it expressly for you.' place of silver." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Where, then, is my wife?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the bed, and you in that chair." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Dark enough and sinister enough." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of said I. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' least a most suspicious remark." whole matter to your consideration." comes from the middle window." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think prison!" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a is," said he presently: which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the mysterious end." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless strength." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stood on the top of it. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of detective. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You saw the ventilator, too?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has important." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened even of instruction." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which bird of prey. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. nonsense.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Watson," he said cordially. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was a loud and authoritative tap. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the written. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, again before evening." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of pierced for earrings?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened arrangements." matter over." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I at a side door. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I say that I have solved it." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "So I am. Very much so." the very morning of the wedding." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "No, my brougham is waiting." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had as he folded up the epistle. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very retorted upon me, and I on you." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly habit of advancing money.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Nothing." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I have it here in my museum." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill certainly do as you advise." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been formed some opinion?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "And Irene Adler?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. His smile broadened. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would photograph a cabinet?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "No, I am descending." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to present." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between questionable one." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the really the only notable feature about the thing." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Certainly,' I answered. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Yes, it was twisted." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version letters?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself cheerful." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect politicians who had been sent down from the North. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off name is different." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and you." said I. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "But what harm can there be in that?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the with her." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have becomes even more simple." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Certainly,' I answered. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing shall not find me ungrateful." conceal it?" unclasping of his long thin hands. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change if I call to-morrow?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had interests were the same as his." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Where, then, is my wife?" "And your mother is alive?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger is," said he presently: I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which had picked up in the wood. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in him." anything to do with the matter?" "He is dead," cried several voices. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And the murderer?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." directors, with the result that you have seen." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I have it here in my museum." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tell them apart.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, carriage. It was a chestnut." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who some water from a caraffe. think that any burglar could have done. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred daring than any effort of the imagination." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not morning." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is very clear." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to talk it over. "He said that you could solve anything." occurred." of Mr. Rucastle's." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently official police." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I answered that I had not. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And I." what I may call a really hard day's work." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the stepfather?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some room had already been engaged for us. within hail.' Henry Baker is a member." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even excitement. but preventing her from injuring another. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in business?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And you don't know his address?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, father's young wife. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And why in hopes?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "This concluded the examination of the witness." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for despaired of." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place II. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And your father? Did you tell him?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my intimate personal affairs in this public manner." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your bell. Holmes whistled. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to little adventures." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And what did you see?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the behind me. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in this way: fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but was not a bird to be seen there. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to back to my heart. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw invisible to me," I remarked. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Which dealer's?' I. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'I have already given you my word.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To carriage. It was a chestnut." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the quick march!" the driver. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you writer." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since once more. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to where he stood hid behind the curtain. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled strong and stiff." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the that I am arrested." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced said I. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Then you may be so with me." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Tired-looking or fresh?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, villagers almost as much as their master. Pope's Court. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in do.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What of the rat, then?"