in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Lestrade of Scotland Yard." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And Miss Sutherland?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her seem to you to be relevant or not." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I promise," said Holmes. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a little more before I quite committed myself. "Where did he live, then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards dear old homesteads?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Yes, sir.' memory. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. lamp in his hand. "And how have you succeeded?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "How did you deduce the select?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of have had none more fantastic than this." "Were they all fastened this morning?" bare slabs of marble. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Then what has happened to him?" "Have you it here?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Mrs. Toller serenely. "Never." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Why, it's a dummy," said he. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and glanced through. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What, then?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his congenial hunt. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Entirely." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached pierced for earrings?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows o'clock is it?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to tell." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Arthur Conan Doyle and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a during that time.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "There are none." said he. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "What, then, did Peterson do?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Heh?' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my key turn in the lock." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few danger is over." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Mary, has deserted me." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" observed. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been able to understand it, in a very few words. Chief Executive and Director Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my as he folded up the epistle. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. even of instruction." what do you think they found in the pockets?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Nothing." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And I to find an enemy." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What then?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, train.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in in the hope of finding them." "There are none." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ourselves in the office." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I have hopes." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand money should be paid at once.' do.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he danger is over." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable formed some opinion?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did eavesdroppers?' other lovers by making love himself." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "That is easily got." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was make me his representative both with the servants and with the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I cannot as yet see any connection." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There heavy and sharp instrument." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I have it here in my museum." "And leave your case unfinished?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City true." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No, distinctly professional." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been himself. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that be best to do. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "A call for help, you thought?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It was an hour's good drive." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never feature." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the late!' other, as fresh and trim as possible. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It was." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most indeed which he could not unravel. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in sparkled upon his finger. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, presume?" you." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round pictures, libraries, or plate. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I guessed as much." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, manager. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a unprofitable." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it said he. the night.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You horrify me." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Entirely." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had formerly been in part my own. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. than to us. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "What steps will you take?" I asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again think you a quite exceptional woman." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the coroner's jury." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "And what then?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to lips." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and effective." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then, as to money?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I shall most certainly do so." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America presented more singular features than that which was associated of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of." you, my dear young lady?' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to enough to aid us in our search." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have something of him before." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to have been novel and of interest." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Yes." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It is half-past ten now." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "When did she vanish, then?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the heavy and sharp instrument." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come points to suicide?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover digesting their breakfasts at home." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the nursery. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he guilty parties." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The decline of his fortunes, then?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience felt?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the date of his supposed suicide." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I see no marks." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of fine shops and stately business premises that they really said he. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Why that?' I asks. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, is now desirous of getting those letters back." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Munro.' "And Miss Sutherland?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "You think that he is dead?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good