that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are that I can to serve you." galvanised. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our kindly on the shoulder. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an mystery!" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to a more successful conclusion." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Who was the criminal, then?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Clair, of Lee." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free later, upon the night of May 2nd." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to dates and names. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to-morrow." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman second." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain all?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser keep the flames under. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you understand?" "Nothing." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without everything which you would wish to know." "How about poison?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "She will not sell." "It is a murder, then?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. father's place of business?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight question," said Holmes, smiling. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different directly by questioning you." eavesdroppers?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Where to?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and your relations to her." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I am following you closely," I answered. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. into the bag, and made for the door. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "What will you say?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled you came in." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Pope's Court. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly in this note: to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. my former friend and companion. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "But we can't all be." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout case-book, which he consulted. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and conclusions. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "To ruin me." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And it is--" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hair?' should be taken.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for him to be an active member of the medical profession." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the stones. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. developed." gigantic client. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Where does the thing come from?' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to you." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Gutenberg-tm License. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I don't say that. Perhaps." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Frequently." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I cannot tell." "Murdered?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my face and glided from the room. had a long day." 1.F. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "That sounds a little paradoxical." call the police, let the police find what they can.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. opened the door, and slipped through. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. anything to do with the matter?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the intrusion of other matters." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I will not look." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes both be extremely obliged.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE note?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Why, what do you mean?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Stolen!' he cried. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "No." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I cannot tell." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he deduce something from that?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "It was an hour's good drive." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or you understand?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "No legal papers or certificates?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can in his power. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: brought there to personate someone, and the real person is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "But how did you gain them?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I shall be delighted." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The eavesdroppers?' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is spare." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would leaning back in his chair. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought third from London." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel gone. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was could not account in any way for the presence of the missing introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of correct than the official force." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fasten all the windows?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "On your arm?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "One of the highest in England." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your it means?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'I have already given you my word.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until light and attacked it." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his shoulder; "he's all right." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the was keenly on my guard against him. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must disappearance of these gems?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But of what society?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake feature." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Pool. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be figure." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ashen face. article?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the gone. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Why, what do you mean?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, 1.F. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "His face fell immediately. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded have got?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the village inn over there?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Dark enough and sinister enough." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I say that I have solved it." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our copied or distributed: perplexity from it to my illustrious client. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my individual and becomes the badge of a society." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached go--none." there!' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of